Jacob van Artevelde mène une révolte à Gand contre les comtes de Flandre en 1340

This miniature depicts Jacob van Artevelde leading a rebellion in Ghent against the counts of Flanders in 1340. Jacob van Artevelde was a major political figure in Ghent during the 14th century, known for his role in Flemish unrest and in the alignment with England at the beginning of the Hundred Years’ War. In a commercial and urban Flanders marked by tensions between princely power, cities, and economic interests, he became the spokesman of part of the urban elites. The image thus illustrates the political and social violence that shaped Flemish cities in the Middle Ages, while also reflecting the retrospective vision offered by an illuminated chronicle from the late 15th century.