Who is who? de Liedekerke family!
Only a few noble families are intertwined with the history of
a country.
The de Liedekerke family has it all: a long and interesting history
and close ties to the rules of their country.
Let's take a closer look!
History
It was in 1301 that the history of the family de Liedekerke started.
Then Knight Raas of Herzele signed an official document in Beveren.
His son was Raas of Herzele of (de) Liedekerke. His descendants called
themselves de Liedekerke.
themselves de Liedekerke.
But there were many interesting people in the family de Liedekerke.
connections with the Duke of Burgundy
Raas of Liedekerke, lord of Nieuwerkerken (+/- 1421 - 1494/1495) was
married to a certain Johanna. Due to his marriage he became Lord of
Heestert and Zulte. In 1476 he went on a military campaign with
Charles the Bold. Duke of Burgundy. In 1477, Mary of Burgundy,
married to a certain Johanna. Due to his marriage he became Lord of
Heestert and Zulte. In 1476 he went on a military campaign with
Charles the Bold. Duke of Burgundy. In 1477, Mary of Burgundy,
appointed him as bailiff of Aalst and Geraardsbergen.
Charles the Bold
Mary of Burgundy
Connections with the House of Habsburg
Steven of Liedekerke (+/- 1457 - 1530) was lord of Zulte and Heestert.
For twenty years he was an officer in the service of Maximilian I of
Austria and Philip I of Castile (Philip the Fair). In 1514 Charles V,
granted him the title of Knight. He also became a courtier.
For twenty years he was an officer in the service of Maximilian I of
Austria and Philip I of Castile (Philip the Fair). In 1514 Charles V,
granted him the title of Knight. He also became a courtier.
Connections with Morocco
Antonius de Liedekerke (1587-1661) was a Dutch sea captain and
an ambassador to the Court of King Mohammed esh-Sheikh es- Seghir.
an ambassador to the Court of King Mohammed esh-Sheikh es- Seghir.
Antonius de Liedekerke with his family
Belgium under Napoleon Bonaparte
Many noble people in the Southern Netherlands lost their title
in 1795, after the attachment of the Southern Netherlands with
France.
in 1795, after the attachment of the Southern Netherlands with
France.
During the United Kingdom of the Netherlands
In 1816, during the United Kingdom of the Netherlands 4 members
of the Liedekerke family regained their titles.
of the Liedekerke family regained their titles.
Gérard de Liedekerke (1750-1827) was granted the title of Earl.
This title could be inherited by his descendants.
This title could be inherited by his descendants.
Charles Alexandre de Liedekerke Beaufort was recognized as
Count in 1816. He was city councillor and chamberlain of
King William I of The Netherlands. He also was governor of
the Province of Liège. However this branch of the family had
no longer descendants.
Count in 1816. He was city councillor and chamberlain of
King William I of The Netherlands. He also was governor of
the Province of Liège. However this branch of the family had
no longer descendants.
into the politics
Many members of the de Liedekerke family became mayors
inter alia:
inter alia:
Honoré de Liedekerke (1781-1861) mayor of Pailhe.
Florimond de Liedekerke (1865-1945) mayor of Pailhe.
André de Liedekerke de Pailhe (1894-192) mayor of Eghezée
Hadelin de Liedekerke Beaufort (1816-1890) mayor of Celles near
Dinant.
Dinant.
Died for god and country?
During the first World War some members of the de Liedekerke
family died:
family died:
- Aymar de Liedekerke died in Verdun in 1916.
- Jean de Liedekerke died in Russia on 22 July 1917.
During the Second World War, some members of the de
Liedekerke family joined the Resistance against the Nazi's.
Liedekerke family joined the Resistance against the Nazi's.
James the Liedekerke who was born in 1922, died on
3 September 1944 in Alle-sur-Semois.
3 September 1944 in Alle-sur-Semois.
Boudouin de Liedekerke de Pailhe, who was born in 1901
died on 7 April 1945 during the evacuation of the Durga Camp
to the Camp Bergen-Belsen.
died on 7 April 1945 during the evacuation of the Durga Camp
to the Camp Bergen-Belsen.
But there still is more!!
King Albert I of Belgium
Reading books about the Belgian royal family, I discovered
a certain Raoul de Liedekerke (1882-1981) he was a
cabinet employee of King Albert I of Belgium. He married
Countess Marie de Hemricourt de Grunne (1877-1968).
a certain Raoul de Liedekerke (1882-1981) he was a
cabinet employee of King Albert I of Belgium. He married
Countess Marie de Hemricourt de Grunne (1877-1968).
King Albert I of Belgium
WWII: Resistance against the Nazi's
Their son Philippe de Liedekerke went to the Royal Military
School of Brussels. He escaped of the Nazi's and exiled on
1 October 1940 to London. On 6 December 1941 he became
School of Brussels. He escaped of the Nazi's and exiled on
1 October 1940 to London. On 6 December 1941 he became
a member of the State Security.
On 5 June 1944 he married in London to Esther Molloy.
After the war he became an ambassador of Belgium. He died
on 20 February 1997 in Brussels. More about him on this link.
on 20 February 1997 in Brussels. More about him on this link.
Another de Liedekerke - Arnoud (1913-1982) helped Philippe
during his actions with the resistance. He became a priest.
during his actions with the resistance. He became a priest.
One of the countesses of de Liedekerke family, Solange (1932-
2017), was a lady in waiting of Queen Fabiola of Belgium.
2017), was a lady in waiting of Queen Fabiola of Belgium.
More about Countess Solange on this link.
Conclusion
Nowadays the family de Liedekerke is still rated on the 459th. place
on the list of the richest Belgians (published in 2020).
on the list of the richest Belgians (published in 2020).
More about this guide on this link (in Dutch).
Liedekerke still is a place in the province of Flemish Brabant
in Belgium.
in Belgium.
It was very interesting to dive into the rich history of the
de Liedekerke family.
de Liedekerke family.
Source pictures: Wikipedia
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