t influence. He was the
ally of Edward III. of England, and had raised himself to the position
of _Ruwaert_, or Protector of Flanders, by banishing its hereditary
counts. By his advice, the King of England had added the _fleur de lis_,
or lilies of France, to the British arms, claiming to be King of France.
He courted the aid of the Flemish people, who were very powerful,--for
it was said that Ghent alone could furnish eighty thousand fighting
men,--in order to establish his claim to rule France.

"Edward obtained the assistance of the Flemings; but he did not conquer
France, though he gained some splendid victories, in which the famous
Black Prince figured. Van Artevelde began to dread the vengeance of the
hereditary counts of Flanders, whose power he had usurped, and in 1344
he invited Edward to meet him at Sluis. Here the Brewer proposed to make
Edward's son--the Black Prince--sovereign of Flanders, in order to
secure the protection of England. He relied upon his influence with the
citizens to induce them to submit to this arrangement; but the stout
burghers rejected the proposal with contempt and indignation.

"During Van Arteveldt's absence, a popular insurrection was fomented
against him; and, on his return, as he rode through the streets, he was
made conscious of the storm that was brewing against the Brewer. He went
to his house, and barricaded the doors; but the street was soon filled
by the mob. He addressed them from a window; but they would not hear
him, and he attempted to escape by a back door into an adjoining church.
Failing to accomplish this purpose, the infuriated people broke in upon
him, and he was killed.

"In this square, also, were kindled the fires of the Inquisition by the
Duke of Alva, at the command of Philip II., and thousands perished in
the barbarous persecution.

"The rebellious spirit of the people of Ghent was very trying to Charles
V. He demanded of them an enormous sum of money, to enable him to carry
on a war against France. The burghers put the town in a state of
defence, and privately offered their allegiance to Francis I. of France.
He declined the offer, and maliciously informed Charles of it, who
marched an army through France to punish the treason of his subjects in
Ghent. Commanding this army in person, he reached the gates of the city,
and surrounded its walls, before the people were aware of his presence.

"The utmost consternation prevailed in the town, and messengers w