Zeger III of Ghent
Encyclopedia
Zeger III of Ghent was the lord of Heusden
, of Bornhem, and of Saint-Jean Steen, and the Châtelain
of Ghent
. He was the second son of Zeger II, Lord of Ghent and Petronella of Coutrai. His older brother, Arnold, died before 1190, leaving him the heat to the estate of his parents. He took his title of lord of Ghent, Bornhem, and Saint-Jean Steen around 1199. He married Beatrix of Heusden, and through her became Lord of Heusden, a title which was held by his son and progeny.
Beatrix was the daughter of Hughes of Heusden and Mathilde of Bethune, daughter of Robert V "Le Roux" of Bethune of the House of Bethune
.
, margrave of Namur and Regent of Flanders with his brother, Baldwin I of Constantinople
, fought in the fourth crusade and won the crown of Constantinople
. While they were abroad, along with John of Nesle, Zeger was entrusted to the administration of Flanders
, being noted in the record in this role in dealings in 1206 and 1210.
) - eldest son of Philip Augustus
and Joan's aunt, Isabella of Flanders
- held the couple prisoner while he seized the towns of Aire
and Saint-Omer
. Upon release, Ferdinand began an attempt to regain these towns.
Leaving his wife, who was ill, in Douai
, the group went on to the towns of Lille
, Coutrai, Ypres
, and Bruges
. The people of Ghent saw this group's arrival as an attempt to increase the power of France over them, and led by Rasse of Gavre and Arnold of Audenarde, political enemies of Zeger, chased the group away from Ghent. They were saved by cutting a bridge that separated them from their enemies, whose army was said to be quite massive.
Zeger was part of the negotiations, which resulted in the treaty of the bridge of Wendin, signed February 24, 1211 and granting Louis and his heirs the towns of Aire and Saint-Omer. In exchange, Louis promised to never claim Flanders.
By the next year, 1212, Zeeger III retired to the castle of his wife's family in Heusden, and his wife became a benefactor of Anchin Abbey
. In August 9, 1212, whether due to beneficence or the demands of the people, Zeger granted citizens of the city of Ghent (really the bourgeois) the privileged to annually renew their aldermen.
, and sought greater acceptance in Flanders. Ferdinand's affections turned to Zeger's enemies, including Rasse of Gavre and Arnold of Audenarde, and along with John of Nesle, Zeger allied himself with Louis VIII of France
, which some in Flanders saw as treachery. It is possible that Zeger secretly supported Philip Augustus, King of France's intention to dismember Flanders, and he aided Philip in the War of Bouvines. During this time, Ziger had taken residence at a new castle, Belle-Maison, in the town of Hesdin
.
During the War of Bouvines, Philip Augustes seized Bruges and lay siege to Ghent. The French fleet invaded the port of Damme, but was destroyed upon the advance of the English fleet with Ferdinand. Philip retreated from Ghent and Ferdinand then went to Bruges, Ghent, and Ypres and fortified his army.
In the winter of 1214, Philip retreated to France to rebuild his army and Ferdinand to England to secure support against the French. At this time, Ziger assisted Louis VIII, Philip's son, in his seizure of the towns of Bailleul
, Steenvorde, and several other places. In revenge, Ferdinand sacked and plundered Saint-Omer, Guines
, Artois
, Sanchu, and Lens, in acts described as particularly vicious, as well as destroying Zigers new castle at Hesdin. These events led to the decisive Battle of Bouvines
, which the French won, and Ferdinand was taken prisoner and brought, for a time, to the tower of the Louvre
.
In the later years of his life, Ziger is believed to have been a charitable lord and good administrator, assisting in the building of bridges over the waters allowing the better connection of Ghent neighborhoods Briel and Over the Reke (the location of Saint Bavo Abby
). By his death in 1227, he had reconciled with Ferdinand, serving as a witness in court affairs around the Easter holiday of that year.
Heusden, Belgium
Heusden was a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders. In 1977 it merged with the municipality of Destelbergen, of which it is now part....
, of Bornhem, and of Saint-Jean Steen, and the Châtelain
Châtelain
Châtelain was originally merely the French equivalent of the English castellan, i.e. the commander of a castle....
of Ghent
Ghent
Ghent is a city and a municipality located in the Flemish region of Belgium. It is the capital and biggest city of the East Flanders province. The city started as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Lys and in the Middle Ages became one of the largest and richest cities of...
. He was the second son of Zeger II, Lord of Ghent and Petronella of Coutrai. His older brother, Arnold, died before 1190, leaving him the heat to the estate of his parents. He took his title of lord of Ghent, Bornhem, and Saint-Jean Steen around 1199. He married Beatrix of Heusden, and through her became Lord of Heusden, a title which was held by his son and progeny.
Beatrix was the daughter of Hughes of Heusden and Mathilde of Bethune, daughter of Robert V "Le Roux" of Bethune of the House of Bethune
House of Bethune
The House of Béthune or House of Bethune is a French noble house dating back to about 1000 CE. They came from Béthune, in the former province of Artois in the north of France. They were traditionally lords of the town and castle of Béthune and Advocates of the Abbey of St. Vaast at Arras...
.
Administration of Flanders
Philip I of NamurPhilip I of Namur
Philip I , called the Noble, was the margrave of Namur from 1195 to his death. He was the second son of Baldwin V, Count of Hainault, and Margaret I, Countess of Flanders...
, margrave of Namur and Regent of Flanders with his brother, Baldwin I of Constantinople
Baldwin I of Constantinople
Baldwin I , the first emperor of the Latin Empire of Constantinople, as Baldwin IX Count of Flanders and as Baldwin VI Count of Hainaut, was one of the most prominent leaders of the Fourth Crusade, which resulted in the capture of Constantinople, the conquest of the greater part of the Byzantine...
, fought in the fourth crusade and won the crown of Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
. While they were abroad, along with John of Nesle, Zeger was entrusted to the administration of Flanders
Flanders
Flanders is the community of the Flemings but also one of the institutions in Belgium, and a geographical region located in parts of present-day Belgium, France and the Netherlands. "Flanders" can also refer to the northern part of Belgium that contains Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp...
, being noted in the record in this role in dealings in 1206 and 1210.
Marriage of Ferdinand, prince of Portugal and Jeanne of Constantinople
In 1211, Zeger attended the marriage of Ferdinand of Portugal with Joan of Constantinople, daughter of Baldwin I of Constantinople. On returning to Flanders with his army, the couple was accompanied by Philip I of Namur, Ziger, and John of Nesle, châtelain of Bruges. Joan's first cousin, Louis (the future Louis VIII of FranceLouis VIII of France
Louis VIII the Lion reigned as King of France from 1223 to 1226. He was a member of the House of Capet. Louis VIII was born in Paris, France, the son of Philip II Augustus and Isabelle of Hainaut. He was also Count of Artois, inheriting the county from his mother, from 1190–1226...
) - eldest son of Philip Augustus
Philip II of France
Philip II Augustus was the King of France from 1180 until his death. A member of the House of Capet, Philip Augustus was born at Gonesse in the Val-d'Oise, the son of Louis VII and his third wife, Adela of Champagne...
and Joan's aunt, Isabella of Flanders
Isabelle of Hainaut
Isabella of Hainault was queen consort of France as the first wife of King Philip II of France.- Early life :...
- held the couple prisoner while he seized the towns of Aire
Aire-sur-la-Lys
Aire-sur-la-Lys is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in northern France.-Geography:The commune is located 10 miles southeast of Saint-Omer, at the junction of the N43 with several departmental roads, by the banks of the Lys and the Laquette rivers.-History:Aire-sur-la-Lys is mentioned for...
and Saint-Omer
Saint-Omer
Saint-Omer , a commune and sub-prefecture of the Pas-de-Calais department west-northwest of Lille on the railway to Calais. The town is named after Saint Audomar, who brought Christianity to the area....
. Upon release, Ferdinand began an attempt to regain these towns.
Leaving his wife, who was ill, in Douai
Douai
-Main sights:Douai's ornate Gothic style belfry was begun in 1380, on the site of an earlier tower. The 80 m high structure includes an impressive carillon, consisting of 62 bells spanning 5 octaves. The originals, some dating from 1391 were removed in 1917 during World War I by the occupying...
, the group went on to the towns of Lille
Lille
Lille is a city in northern France . It is the principal city of the Lille Métropole, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the country behind those of Paris, Lyon and Marseille. Lille is situated on the Deûle River, near France's border with Belgium...
, Coutrai, Ypres
Ypres
Ypres is a Belgian municipality located in the Flemish province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises the city of Ypres and the villages of Boezinge, Brielen, Dikkebus, Elverdinge, Hollebeke, Sint-Jan, Vlamertinge, Voormezele, Zillebeke, and Zuidschote...
, and Bruges
Bruges
Bruges is the capital and largest city of the province of West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It is located in the northwest of the country....
. The people of Ghent saw this group's arrival as an attempt to increase the power of France over them, and led by Rasse of Gavre and Arnold of Audenarde, political enemies of Zeger, chased the group away from Ghent. They were saved by cutting a bridge that separated them from their enemies, whose army was said to be quite massive.
Zeger was part of the negotiations, which resulted in the treaty of the bridge of Wendin, signed February 24, 1211 and granting Louis and his heirs the towns of Aire and Saint-Omer. In exchange, Louis promised to never claim Flanders.
By the next year, 1212, Zeeger III retired to the castle of his wife's family in Heusden, and his wife became a benefactor of Anchin Abbey
Anchin Abbey
Anchin Abbey was a Benedictine monastery founded in 1079 in the commune of Pecquencourt in what is now the Nord department of France.-History:...
. In August 9, 1212, whether due to beneficence or the demands of the people, Zeger granted citizens of the city of Ghent (really the bourgeois) the privileged to annually renew their aldermen.
War of Bouvines
at the same time, Ferdinand increased his ties with John Lackland, king of EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, and sought greater acceptance in Flanders. Ferdinand's affections turned to Zeger's enemies, including Rasse of Gavre and Arnold of Audenarde, and along with John of Nesle, Zeger allied himself with Louis VIII of France
Louis VIII of France
Louis VIII the Lion reigned as King of France from 1223 to 1226. He was a member of the House of Capet. Louis VIII was born in Paris, France, the son of Philip II Augustus and Isabelle of Hainaut. He was also Count of Artois, inheriting the county from his mother, from 1190–1226...
, which some in Flanders saw as treachery. It is possible that Zeger secretly supported Philip Augustus, King of France's intention to dismember Flanders, and he aided Philip in the War of Bouvines. During this time, Ziger had taken residence at a new castle, Belle-Maison, in the town of Hesdin
Hesdin
Hesdin is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in northern France.-Geography:The N39, from Arras to Montreuil, used to be the main thoroughfare of the town. In the 1950s, a circular route was created to help traffic flow...
.
During the War of Bouvines, Philip Augustes seized Bruges and lay siege to Ghent. The French fleet invaded the port of Damme, but was destroyed upon the advance of the English fleet with Ferdinand. Philip retreated from Ghent and Ferdinand then went to Bruges, Ghent, and Ypres and fortified his army.
In the winter of 1214, Philip retreated to France to rebuild his army and Ferdinand to England to secure support against the French. At this time, Ziger assisted Louis VIII, Philip's son, in his seizure of the towns of Bailleul
Bailleul
- France :*Bailleul, Nord, in the Nord département*Bailleul, Orne, in the Orne département*Bailleul, Somme, in the Somme département*Bailleul-aux-Cornailles, in the Pas-de-Calais département*Bailleul-la-Vallée, in the Eure département...
, Steenvorde, and several other places. In revenge, Ferdinand sacked and plundered Saint-Omer, Guines
Guines
-Similar spellings:* Gines * Güeñes, municipality in Biscay, Spain* Guinness...
, Artois
Artois
Artois is a former province of northern France. Its territory has an area of around 4000 km² and a population of about one million. Its principal cities are Arras , Saint-Omer, Lens and Béthune.-Location:...
, Sanchu, and Lens, in acts described as particularly vicious, as well as destroying Zigers new castle at Hesdin. These events led to the decisive Battle of Bouvines
Battle of Bouvines
The Battle of Bouvines, 27 July 1214, was a conclusive medieval battle ending the twelve year old Angevin-Flanders War that was important to the early development of both the French state by confirming the French crown's sovereignty over the Angevin lands of Brittany and Normandy.Philip Augustus of...
, which the French won, and Ferdinand was taken prisoner and brought, for a time, to the tower of the Louvre
Louvre
The Musée du Louvre – in English, the Louvre Museum or simply the Louvre – is one of the world's largest museums, the most visited art museum in the world and a historic monument. A central landmark of Paris, it is located on the Right Bank of the Seine in the 1st arrondissement...
.
Retirement
These events strengthened Zeger, who again retired at Heusden. In 1225 a man appeared who claimed to be Baldwin of Constantinople, who had died in 1205 or 1206. He soon became the focus of a popular revolt, and Ziger played a role in unmasking him. Ziger's efforts to protect Jeanne led Mouske, a historian of the time, to call Ziger the good lord of Ghent.In the later years of his life, Ziger is believed to have been a charitable lord and good administrator, assisting in the building of bridges over the waters allowing the better connection of Ghent neighborhoods Briel and Over the Reke (the location of Saint Bavo Abby
Saint Bavo Cathedral
thumb|right|225px|Sint-Baafs CathedralThe Saint Bavo Cathedral is the seat of the diocese of Ghent. It is named for Saint Bavo of Ghent....
). By his death in 1227, he had reconciled with Ferdinand, serving as a witness in court affairs around the Easter holiday of that year.
Family
By his wife, Beatrix of Heusden, Ziger had numorous children:- Hugh I of GhentHugh I of GhentHugh I, of Ghent was lord of Heusden, Bornhem, and Saint-Jean Steene, Chatelain of Ghent. Hugh was the eldest child of Zeger III of Ghent and Beatrix of Heusden.- Early Lordship :...
, lord of Heusden, Bornhem, and Saint-Jean Steene and Chatelain of Ghent, married Odette of Champagne. - Ziger of Ghent, married in 1235 to Ode of Grimberghen
- Gerard of Ghent, called the devil, married Elisabeth of Slote
- Walter of Ghent, archdeacon at the church of ArrasArrasArras is the capital of the Pas-de-Calais department in northern France. The historic centre of the Artois region, its local speech is characterized as a Picard dialect...
- William of Ghent called the Frisian
- Ferdinand of Ghent
- Bernard of Ghent, called of Meren, married Margueritte of Wervy