In the center of the Market Square stands a monument to two Flemish heroes – Peter de Coninck and Jan Breydel. These two are remembered in history as the leaders of the fight for Flanders' freedom in the famous Battle of the Golden Spurs in 1302.
But to understand this story, we need to dive a little into the historical context.
In the early 14th century, Flanders, a wealthy trading region, was under pressure from France, which sought to establish full control over it. King Philip IV of France imposed high taxes and harsh administration, which led to discontent among the locals, especially the merchants and craftsmen.
Peter de Coninck, a member of the weavers' guild, and Jan Breydel, a butcher and leader of his guild, became the leaders of the resistance. They organized a rebellion in Bruges, known in history as the "Bruges Morning Dawn." According to legend, in May 1302, the rebels infiltrated the city at night, killing many French soldiers and freeing Bruges from occupation.
Soon after the uprising, the French king sent an army to suppress the rebellion. On July 11, 1302, the Battle of the Golden Spurs took place near the town of Courtrai. Despite the Flemish army being made up mostly of poorly armed townspeople, they managed to defeat the French knights. After the battle, many golden spurs from the slain French nobles were collected, giving the historical victory its name.
The monument, created by sculptor Paul de Vigne in 1887, depicts de Coninck and Breydel holding swords and the flag of Flanders. At the base of the monument are bas-reliefs that tell the story of the Bruges Morning Dawn and the Battle of the Golden Spurs.
