Benedictine Abbey of Affligem

Foundation of a religious community around 1080, shortly thereafter established as "Novum Monasterium", under the rule of Saint Benedict, dependent on the diocese of Cambrai (1086); endowed by Henry of Brabant, including properties in the immediate vicinity, estates in Asse and lands around Wavre; continuous support from Brabant due to its politically favorable location on the border with Flanders; due to this positioning, the abbey was repeatedly plundered and taken over by various troops, including during the 14th century, after the first flourishing period of the 13th century, during the second half of the 16th century, in 1576 and 1580 when the monks were forced to leave their abbey until 1605, and from 1667-1668 plunderings by the French army of Louis XIV. After each catastrophe, there followed a period of restoration and rebuilding with potential expansion and relative flourishing.

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