Jacob van Artevelde (listen (help·info); c. 1290 â€" 17 or 24 July
1345), also known as The Wise Man and the Brewer of Ghent, was a
Flemish statesman and political leader.Jacob van Artevelde (listen
(help·info); c. 1290 â€" 17 or 24 July 1345), also known as The Wise
Man and the Brewer of Ghent, was a Flemish statesman and political
leader.Van Artevelde was born in Ghent of a wealthy commercial family.
He married twice and amassed a fortune in the weaving industry. He
rose to prominence during the early stages of the Hundred Years' War.
Fearful that hostilities between France and England would hurt the
prosperity of Ghent, he entered political life in 1337. He set up an
alliance with Bruges and Ypres (later the Four Members) in order to
show neutrality. Van Artevelde gained control of the insurrection
against Louis I, the Count of Flanders who had abandoned his father's
anti-French policies. Louis I was forced to flee to France, while van
Artevelde served as captain general of Ghent from that time until his
death.Flemish relations with England had traditionally been good, due
to wool and textile trade. Neutrality was eventually broken, and the
towns took the side of the English in 1340. In that year, van
Artevelde persuaded the federation to recognize King Edward III of
England as sovereign of France and overlord of Flanders. Jacob van Artevelde Top Movies & Young Movies