Spike and Suzy 'The Treasure of Beersel'
The siege by the Brussels militias in 1488-1489
Let's rewind the clock to the late 15th century.
After the death of Mary of Burgundy in 1482, the 10-year war breaks out between Maximilian of Austria and the cities of Brabant and Flanders. Hendrik III van Witthem, lord of Beersel, decides to side with his liege lord. In 1488, the Brussels troops lay siege to the Castle of Beersel. They however fail to capture it. In 1489, King Louis XI of France comes to their aid, bringing with him a large and modern artillery force. The castle falls within just a few days.
By 1491, the Brussels militias are forced to restore the damage they've caused to the castle.
Several elements from this dramatic chapter in history are depicted in the comic book.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF THE SIEGE
Under the rule of Philip the Good, the Duchy of Brabant begins to outshine the County of Flanders economically. With the support of the nobility of Brabant, Philip is able to curb the influence of the cities and the bourgeoisie. Under the reign of his son, Charles the Bold, however, relations begin to sour. Driven by grand ambitions for territorial expansion, Charles imposes higher taxes and seeks to curtail the power of local institutions. The Council of Brabant is made subordinate to the Parliament of Mechelen. In 1477, Charles the Bold meets an unexpected end on the battlefield of Nancy. His sudden death leaves a power vacuum that will change the course of history.
Mary of Burgundy, the young daughter of Charles the Bold, is forced to reverse her father's centralising policy. In 1477, she grants the cities greater powers through what became known as the Great Privilege. In return, the cities pledge their support in the fight against France. A year later, in 1478, Mary marries Maximilian of Austria, who goes on to defeat the French in 1479. But soon, Maximilian begins to roll back the cities' hard-won rights and freedoms. Tragedy strikes again in 1482, when Maria dies unexpectedly after a fall from her horse. Maximilian is left as regent until their son Philip — just four years old at the time — comes of age.
This leads to a brief civil war that sweeps through Brabant, causing a sharp decline in living standards. In his efforts to continue to wage war against France, Maximilian imposes heavy taxes, sparking widespread unrest. Cities like Ghent, Ypres, and Bruges openly rebel against his rule. In 1488, tensions reach a peak when Maximilian himself is briefly imprisoned in Bruges. He is released only after promising greater freedoms to the cities—promises he is quick to break. The rebellion spreads as cities such as Brussels, Leuven, Aarschot, Tienen, Nivelles and Zoutleeuw join the uprising. Others, including Antwerp, Lier, Vilvoorde and Mechelen remain loyal to Maximilian.
Hendrik III of Witthem sides with his feudal lord and disrupts the supply lines to Brussels from his stronghold in Beersel. In 1488, furious Brussels militias led by Philip of Cleves lay siege to his moated castle. But the meter-thick brick walls hold firm and the attackers are forced to retreat in defeat - only to return a year later, this time backed with heavy French artillery. A breach is blasted into the walls, and the castle is destroyed. Several defenders are taken prisoner and the garrison captain, Willem de Ramilly, is hanged at the Grand-Place in Brussels. Van Witthem himself had fled the scene before the final blow was struck.
However, the tides turn: Philip of Cleves loses his French support, and a deadly plague ravages Brussels. Maximilian forces the cities to their knees. In 1492, a peace agreement is finally reached between the warring parties and two years later, in 1494, the 16-year-old Philip the Handsome makes his Joyous Entry into the city. Peace is restored. For his loyalty, van Witthem is rewarded, including being made a knight of the prestigious Order of the Golden Fleece. His castle in Beersel is rebuilt at the expense of the people of Brussels, and he is granted additional lands, including in Braine-l'Alleud, Plancenoit and Ohain.