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 the French language, brigand simply means highwayman.
The strict regime of the military occupation by the French, the many confiscations, extra levies and war loans, without the slightest say from the local population, had made the French unpopular. There was a general climate of dissatisfaction.
The inhabitants of the former Southern Netherlands and of the Prince-Bishopric of Liège had become French citizens by the decree of 1 October 1795. All centuries-old private and public customs were abolished. In the Flemish and German regions, French was only understood by a minority and the expressions in official publications were hardly understood.
By the General Conscription Act of 5 September 1798 (19 fructidor VI), all young men between the ages of 20 and 25 had to serve in the French "liberation" army. General conscription was previously unknown, since armies consisted of volunteers supplemented by mercenaries.
The people, under the slogan Voor Outer en Heerd, revolted against the sans-culottes. Placards (posters) appeared in the major cities on churches and public buildings with the text "Nederlanders! bstayt nu samen, wij moet steadvastich zijn" (Dutchmen! Stay together now, we must be steadfast).
The first incident occurred at Overmere (between Ghent and Dendermonde) on 12 October 1798. This was before the start date of the uprising - Thursday 25 October 1798 - as set by the Brabant patriots, who had mediated and asked for support from foreign powers such as the Netherlands, England and Prussia. After this fuse was lit, incidents occurred all over Flanders, but they were soon 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 domain, a monument with the image of "a brigand" was placed in 1987.
Source: Wikipedia
Translated by Google •
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