Brigand is the name the French gave to the Flemish rebels who fought against the French occupiers in the Peasants' War at the end of the 18th century. In French, brigand simply means highwayman.
The strict regime of the French military occupation, the numerous confiscations, levies, and war loans, without any involvement from the local population, had made the French unpopular. A general climate of discontent prevailed. The inhabitants of the former Southern Netherlands and the Prince-Bishopric of Liège became French citizens by the decree of October 1, 1795. All centuries-old private and public customs were abolished. In the Flemish and German regions, French was understood by only a minority, and the expressions in official publications were virtually unintelligible.
The General Conscription Act of September 5, 1798 (19 fructidor VI) required all young men between the ages of 20 and 25 to serve in the French "liberation" army. General conscription was previously unknown, as armies consisted of volunteers supplemented by mercenaries. The people, under the slogan "Voor Outer en Heerd" (For Outer and Hearth), revolted against the sans-culottes. Placards (posters) appeared on churches and public buildings in major cities, with the texts including "Dutchmen! Stay together now, we must be steadfast." The first incident occurred at Overmere (between Ghent and Dendermonde) on October 12, 1798. This was before the start date of the uprising—Thursday, October 25, 1798—as set by the Brabant patriots, who had mediated and requested support from foreign powers such as the Netherlands, England, and Prussia. After this spark, incidents occurred throughout Flanders, but they were quickly suppressed.
October 28, 1798, is known as Brigand Sunday in Ingelmunster. A memorial stone is built into the church wall on the market side. Behind the church, against the wall of the castle grounds, a monument depicting "a brigand" was erected in 1987.
Source: Wikipedia
Translated by Google •
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