Moordkruis Maecke Koeckarts

The cross at this point is a murder cross and reminds us more than 350 years ago of the murder of Maecke Koeckarts. The girl's age is not known, but according to oral tradition, she must be about twenty years old.

In the stone cross the following text was carved:

IHS
ANO 1653
THE 8-8B: IS MAKEKE
KOECKARTS IAEM-
MERLICK OMCOME
GOODT TRUST DE SELE.
AMEN

What exactly happened on that conscious day, the stories are different.

One version is that Maecke was attacked and murdered by a shepherd who had been waiting for her at the wood collection in the forest.

Another version reports that Maecke was murdered by a rejected lover. While her father's sheep rushed in the moors near the Vijlenerbos, he surprised the girl and killed her.

A third, and most narrated, story is that Maecke was "coveted" by two brothers. The girl could not decide between the two brothers. She had hinted that she would marry the one who first gave her a gold ring. Not an easy task for a simple farmer's son. The youngest brother succeeded, whereupon the other brother Maecke beat out of jealousy.

If the cross is placed exactly, it is not known. Given the spelling, this should not have happened long after the crime.

Every year on the 8th of August many bouquets are still placed on the cross.