River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-10-18
A LEAF FROM HISTORY.

A LEAF FROM HISTORY.
The proud and naughty earl of Flan-
ders had more than once laid siege 10 the
city of Client, and been obliged to raise
1t without bringing the stubborn citizens
% the abject terms which he exacted; but
in the springOf 1882, he reioiced that at
last he had them humbled in the dust, with
his iron heel upon their necks. BY con-
quering the neighbOring cities and cutting
of their supplies, he had at last brought
them TO the verge of starvation, so that
they were compelled to sue for peace: and
LIege, Brabant, and Hainault each agreed
to send adaptation TO Tourney. the place
appointed by the earl for a conference, to
unite their prayers with the deputatiOn
from Client for such terms and condi-
tIons as a brave but conquered people
might bear.
The deputation from Client, headed by
Philip Won Artavcld. governor OF the town,
and its most redoubted military chief,was
ordered TO offer complete submission 10
the will OF their lord, the earl of Flanders,
and accede 10 all terms and conditions
II did not involve the life Of any of the
inhabitants. Had the earl been disposed
% the Clemcncy of a noble soul, he might
have saved himself much future trouble.
and secured himself great number of
willing and loving subjects. But he was
at heart a vain naughty tyrant and was
now determined to wreak a cruel revenge
upon the men who had so long denied his
power. Though promising TO meet the
deputations al Tourney, he remained at
his palace in Bruges; and when, after sew
eral days of anxious suspense, they sent
messengers To inquire If their lord would
deign to honor them with his presence, he
returned for answer that he would not
come himself, but would send his council
with his ultimate.
Another week OF fearful suspense
passed by before the der utatiOn from
Client received these VlfipGtG from the
naughty earl, which were the most cruel
and degrading which conqueror could
offer To the conquered.
The inhabitants of Client said the
council sent by the carl Of Flanders, ARE
not to expect peace from him, unless all
male persons, from the age of fifteen TO
sixty, shall come out Of the city bare
headed. here footed. and with halters
around their necks, and take their places
on the road between Client and Bruges,
where the earl will wait for them, and
either grant them pardon or put them 10
death according To his pleasure.
OF course such degrading terms as
these could not be accepted by the dep
utatiou from Client. and 1t is almost GER
tain the earl himself Eever expected
they would be--his object evidently be
ing To provoke the citizens TO further
resistance that he might slaughter the..l
- lsasse and give their city mp to pill
lage.
On returning To Client, Philip Won
Artaveld held consultation with anOth-
ar redOubted captain, Peter du Bots, and
IL was agreed that the former should make
such report 10 the Inhabitants rs would
render them desperate and excite them to
offensive action. This he did the next
dav in the market-place, recounting all
the insults the citizens had received, and
telling them they had but one course OF
three tOpursue-either 10 close the gates
II the city and die of famine, or go forth
with halters around their necks for the
earl 10 wreak his vengeance on, or to Sc
lect FIVE or six thousand of the most
brave and determined of their number
and instantly march To attack the earl in
Bruges.
With one accord the people chose the
most valiant course. and the next day two
thousand brave men, with Philip von
Artaveld al their head, marched out o.
Client and took their way 70 Bruges, car
rying with them two hundred carts laden
with cannon and artillery, and only seven
with provisions. the latter being all that
could possibly Ire spared from the famish-
ing town.
On arriving before the city Of BrUges.
Philip Won Artaveld drew up his whole
army around q small hill, on which he
stationed himself, and haTangucd them
in a most eloquent manner. showing
them that everything was siaked ON the
coming battle-the safety OF themselves,
their wives and chiliren-that II even
honor would permit them to retreat
there was no place Of refuge for them, Tor
their ewn city was in the last stages OF
&c famine. and the gates OF every Other
were closed sgaist them-and, finally,
that only provisions enough for one meal
remained, and. except as conquerors. they
could never hope 10 eat again.
Meantime, the earl OF Flanders. at MS
Gorgeous palace in Brugcs, surrounded
bv his knights and reainers, heard OfthC
approaching of this little army OF half
starved men with "A sample q contempt
" he wicked uiNuultu. Ait >alNtr u
beard the lion in his den ! will g
forth and Overawe them with host. and
then literally wipe them from the face Of
the earth.
That very day he marched out Of thC
citv. at the head of forty thousand full
armed knights and warriors, expecting
an easy victory. 4 little before sunset
ne drew up his army in front of the mer
Of Client, and the battle was oommtnced
with cannon on both sides. The Ghent
men fought with the fury Of despair; and
strange as 1t may seem, when II IS re.
membcred that they were Outnumbcred
rs eight to one, they soon had their COW
ardly enemies flying in every direction
They pursued, shouting ~Ghent. and
slaughtered without mtrcy. The whole
route back to the gates Of BrUges the dis
lance of a league, was soon stTewed with
the dead and wounded; and before the
now terrified earl and his bOdy-guaTd 81
knights could return and put the city IN