Everard t'Serclaes
Everard t'Serclaes (c. 1320 – 31 March 1388), lord of Kruikenburg (alternatively Cruyckembourg), a citizen of Brussels, was made famous by his recovery of that city from the Flemings.
At the death of John III of Brabant on 5 December 1355, his daughter Joanna and her husband, Wenceslaus, succeeded to the Brabantine throne, but this was disputed by the count of Flanders, Louis de Male. Louis invaded Brabant and quickly seized Brussels. During the night of 24 October 1356, Everard scaled the city walls at the head of a group of patriots and drove the Flemings from the city. This enabled Joanna and Wenceslaus to make their Joyous Entry into the city.[1]
Everard was later made schepen (alderman) of the city five times. As an old man he led the successful opposition to the selling a section of crown land to Sweder of Abcoude, lord of Gaasbeek. A group led by Sweder's bastard son ambushed, beat, and mutilated Everard on the road from Lennick to Brussels. He died five days after the attack. In response the citizens of Brussels, joined by allies across Brabant, raised Gaasbeek Castle.[2]
Everard is commemorated by a monument sculpted by artist Julien Dillens (1849–1904). The monument is located on Charles Buls street, just off the Grand Place. It is said among locals that the statue of Everard t'Serclaes brings luck and grants the wishes of all who touch it. Many tourists touch (or rather rub) the statue, particularly the arm, because legend has it that rubbing the arm will ensure one's return to Brussels. Other parts are also touched frequently by the tourists such as the face of an angel, a dog, and one of the shields. This constant polishing keeps the body depicted in the statue in a shining color compared to the rest of the sculpture.
