Franz Ackerman sculpture terre cuite Gand 2015

Frans Ackerman (–1387), Latinised as Franciscus Agricola, was one of the most famous Flemish statesmen and military leaders of the 14th century.

Life

Ackerman was born in

Ghent Ghent ( ; ; historically known as ''Gaunt'' in English) is a City status in Belgium, city and a Municipalities of Belgium, municipality in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It is the capital and largest city of the Provinces of Belgium, province ...

. Rallying to Philip van Artevelde in the Ghent Revolt of 1379 against

Louis II, Count of Flanders Louis II (; ) (25 October 1330, Male, Belgium, Male – 30 January 1384, Lille), also known as Louis of Male, a member of the House of Dampierre, was Count of Flanders, Count of Nevers, and Count of Rethel from 1346 to 1384, and also Count o ...

, Ackerman was placed in command of the ''Reisers'', a mobile force of 3,000 men responsible for securing the city's supply-lines with Liège, Brussels and Leuven. J.J. De Smet, " Ackerman (François)", ''

Biographie Nationale de Belgique The ''Biographie nationale de Belgique'' (; ) is a biographical dictionary of Belgium. It was published by the Royal Academy of Belgium in 44 volumes between 1866 and 1986. A continuation series, entitled the ''Nouvelle Biographie Nationale'' (, ...

'', vol. 1 (Brussels, 1866), 14–18. He distinguished himself in the Battle of Beverhoutsveld (3 May 1382), which led to the taking of Bruges and put almost all of Flanders under the control of Ghent. At the head of some troops, he scoured the surrounding country for provisions and thus saved Ghent from being starved into submission. With the king of France lending support to the count of Flanders, Ackerman undertook an embassy to England to seek the intervention of

King Richard II Richard II (6 January 1367 – ), also known as Richard of Bordeaux, was King of England from 1377 until he was deposed in 1399. He was the son of Edward, Prince of Wales (later known as the Black Prince), and Joan, Countess of Kent. R ...

. Alberdingk Thijm, " Ackerman, Franz", ''

Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie (ADB; ) is one of the most important and comprehensive biographical reference works in the German language. It was published by the Historical Commission of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences between 1875 and 1912 in 56 volumes, printed in Lei ...

'', vol. 1 (1875), pp. 33–34. During his absence, the rebels suffered a serious defeat in the Battle of Roosebeke (27 November 1382), where Van Artevelde himself was slain. The count regained control of all of Flanders except the city of Ghent, where Ackerman became the rebel leader. The English launched Despenser's Crusade in 1383, intervening in Flanders under the pretext of enforcing obedience to

Pope Urban VI Pope Urban VI (; ; c. 1318 – 15 October 1389), born Bartolomeo Prignano (), was head of the Catholic Church from 8 April 1378 to his death, in October 1389. He was the last pope elected from outside the College of Cardinals. His pontificate be ...

. Ackerman took Aardenburg from a French garrison, sacking the town and carrying the plunder to Ghent, and made an unsuccessful attempt on Bruges. Together with his English allies he was victorious at the

Battle of Dunkirk The Battle of Dunkirk () was fought around the French Third Republic, French port of Dunkirk, Dunkirk (Dunkerque) during the Second World War, between the Allies of World War II, Allies and Nazi Germany. As the Allies were losing the Battle ...

(25 May 1383). He then took

Oudenaarde Oudenaarde (; ; in English sometimes ''Oudenarde'') is a Belgium, Belgian City status in Belgium, city and Municipalities of Belgium, municipality in the Flemish Region, Flemish Provinces of Belgium, province of East Flanders. The municipality ...

by stratagem. When the count died in 1384, he was succeeded by

Philip the Bold Philip II the Bold (; ; 17 January 1342 – 27 April 1404) was Duke of Burgundy and ''jure uxoris'' Count of Flanders, Artois and Burgundy. He was the fourth and youngest son of King John II of France and Bonne of Luxembourg. Philip was th ...

, Duke of Burgundy, who had married the count's daughter,

Margaret III, Countess of Flanders Margaret III (13 April 1350 – 16/21 March 1405) was a ruling Countess of Flanders, Countess of Artois, and Countess of Auvergne and Boulogne between 1384 and 1405. She was the last ruler of Flanders of the House of Dampierre. She was al ...

. Duke Philip continued the war. Ackerman took the town of

Damme Damme () is a municipality and city located in the Belgian province of West Flanders, six kilometres northeast of Brugge (Bruges). The municipality comprises the city of Damme proper and the villages of Hoeke, Lapscheure, Moerkerke, Oostkerk ...

in a surprise attack, but was soon besieged within it by the army of

Charles VI of France Charles VI (3 December 136821 October 1422), nicknamed the Beloved () and in the 19th century, the Mad ( or ''le Fou''), was King of France from 1380 until his death in 1422. He is known for his mental illness and psychosis, psychotic episodes t ...

. The expected help from the English not arriving, his force broke out and returned to Ghent. On 18 December 1385, the war ended with the Peace of Tournai between Ghent and Philip the Bold. Ackerman was a prominent member of the Ghent delegation who agreed the terms, but afterwards declined to serve the duke either at court or in the field. On 22 July 1387, while on his way to Saint Peter's Abbey, Ghent, Ackerman was murdered by a son of the Lord of

Herzele Herzele () is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders in the Denderstreek The Denderstreek or Denderland is a region in Belgium. It is named after the river Dender. Though the river stretches over three provinces, Hain ...

who blamed him for his father's death.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ackerman, Frans 1330s births 1387 deaths 14th-century people from the county of Flanders Politicians from Ghent