The Four members ( nl, Vier Leden) consisted of
Bruges,
Franc of Bruges
The Brugse Vrije was a castellany in the county of Flanders, often called in English "the Franc of Bruges". It included the area around Bruges, and was bordered by the North Sea, the Westerschelde and the Yser river. The city of Bruges was separa ...
,
Ghent and
Ypres gathered together in a
medieval parliament. Together they exercised considerable power in
Flanders.
During the
Hundred Years' War
The Hundred Years' War (; 1337–1453) was a series of armed conflicts between the kingdoms of Kingdom of England, England and Kingdom of France, France during the Late Middle Ages. It originated from disputed claims to the French Crown, ...
,
Jacob van Artevelde a prominent merchant with business interests in the wool trade with
England, led a revolt against
Louis I, the
Count of Flanders
The count of Flanders was the ruler or sub-ruler of the county of Flanders, beginning in the 9th century. Later, the title would be held for a time, by the rulers of the Holy Roman Empire and Spain. During the French Revolution, in 1790, the co ...
who had sided with the
French
French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to:
* Something of, from, or related to France
** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents
** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...
. Originally, in 1339 he organised the towns of Bruges, Ghent and Ypres together as the Three Members ( nl, Drie Leden). Then in 1386 under
Philip the Bold, Franc of Bruges was added, turning the organisation into the Four Members.
Flanders and Hainault
accessed 22 August 2010
References
{{reflist
Flanders