Vincenzo DM Profile picture
Jul 30, 2021 10 tweets 5 min read Read on X
Today we will look at the Castle of Tervuren (near Brussels) which existed from ca. 1190 till 1781 and was considered a favourite residence of many local rulers. A thread 👇 #twitterstorians #palaces Image
Around 1190 Duke Henry I of Brabant commissioned the construction of a residence and a church nearby - St John the Baptist's Church -. It was clear he had plans to spend some time here. His successors added an addition donjon and further modifications. ImageImage
Duke John II (1275-1312) added an additional hall which would be used for meeting of the States of Brabant - the assembly of reps from the cities/clergy and nobility - Image
The place remained a royal residence throughout the 16th c. and really became more prominent during the reign of co-Sovereigns Albert and Isabella (1598-1621) who asked architect Wenzel Cobergher to completely redesign the building. The result was a proper royal palace. ImageImageImage
After Albert and Isabella's death the castle was used less frequently, although Charles II of England spent some time there in 1659 during his exile. By the end of the 17th c. the castle was reduced to an abandoned ruins. Image
Then a new Regent arrived in Brussels in 1724, Maria Elizabeth, who liked the area and ordered Johannes Andreas Anneessens - who designed a new facade for the Prince-Bishop's palace in Liège - to revamp the castle. Image
Maria-Elizabeth's successor, Charles Alexander of Lorraine, also poured money into the place and ordered Jean Faulte, who also designed Charles Alexander's new palace in Brussels, to continue Anneessens' work. Image
But then Charles Alexander's nephew, Emperor Joseph II became Lord of the Habsburg Netherlands. And as Joseph wanted to balance the books he felt the castle's massive upgrade works and upkeep were far too frivolous and ordered the complete destruction of the castle in 1781. ImageImage
Only St Hubert's Chapel, built by Wenzel Cobergher in the 17th c. and saved from Joseph II's decision reminds us of the royal history of the area. Image
Picture above taken by @TimoVanHavere

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More from @DM_Vincenzo

Jan 5, 2023
The County of Loon (which now covers the Belgian Limburg province) was an entity which appeared in the early 11th c, became part of Liège in the 14th c. and completely disappeared in 1794. A short #Thread about this forgotten land.
Initially three 'shires' existed which would form the County of Loon. At some point different brothers ruled the area (the whole thing is slightly complicated), but at some point in the 11th c. a man called Giselbert emerged who carried the title 'Count of Loon'.
His grandson Arnold I (1045-1125) is often dubbed the actual first Count of Loon and managed to expand his domain, built castles and became guardian of various abbeys. His son, Arnolf II founded the Abbey of Averbode (1135) and supported Liège during the Battle of Wilderen.
Read 11 tweets
Dec 25, 2021
In the 1860s, Louis Gallait was asked to paint 15 portraits of historical figures to be placed at the Plenary Room of the Belgian Senate. After his death some portraits were added. A short #thread on these figures and who why they were relevant to Belgium. #twitterstorians
Let's start with Pepin of Herstal (635 – 714), an important Frankish statesman who was born in Herstal and had his powerbase in present day Belgium.
Then we have Charlemagne (747-814) who requires no introduction of course.
Read 17 tweets
Nov 21, 2021
There were 43 Counts of Flanders from 862 till 1983: below a list of all of them ! So please bear with me. #twitterstorians
Baldwin I with the Iron Arm (862-879)
Baldwin II the Bald (879-918)
Read 44 tweets
Nov 21, 2021
Today a #thread on Count Arnulf I of Flanders, aka the Great (893-964).
Born in 893 (approx.) as son of Baldwin II of Flanders & Ælfthryth, daughter of Alfred the Great. After his father's death he did not inherit the entire county as his brother Adalolf received a part. Adalof was killed in 933 fighting the vikings after which Arnulf took that part.
In the meantime Arnulf fought Rollo of Normandy, beat the vikings in 926 and waged war against Herbert II van Vermandois and took the Norman city of Montreuil. In 942 Arnulf invited William (son of Rolle) for talks but ordered his assissination, so Arnulf kept Montreuil.
Read 4 tweets
Nov 20, 2021
On Christmas Day 861 a man called Baldwin eloped with Judith, daughter of King Charles the Bald of West-Francia. A daring and very bold move, but one with some ramifications for the place that is now called Belgium: a #thread
Charles the Bald was furious,ordered everyone not to shelter his daughter/Baldwin and asked bishops to excommunicate them. The pair therefore moved to Rome where they pleaded with Pope Nicholas I who urged Charles to reconcile with his daughter and - yet unofficial - son-in-law.
Charles finally accepted the situation and accepted an official marriage in 862. He also gave Baldwin the 'pagus Flandrensis' and in 862 Baldwin thus became the first Count of Flanders. Some said he hoped Baldwin would be killed by raiding vikings.
Read 6 tweets
Oct 5, 2021
Did you know Belgium and the Netherlands share what is probably one of the weirdest borders in the world. Curious how this came to be? Well, buckle up and check this #thread #twitterstorians Image
It all started in the 12th c. when a conflict between Duke Henry I of Brabant and Dirk VII of Holland rose. The Lord of Breda, Godfried van Schoten, pledged allegiance to Henry who gave him pieces of land and kept some land as his personal property. ImageImage
So at some point you had land called Baarle onder Breda (held by the Lord of Breda) and Baarle onder de Hertog (held by the Duke).
Read 11 tweets

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