Hof van Uythem

The Hof van Uythem is the oldest building in Begijnendijk. It has been restored several times so that we know little about its original appearance. As early as the 14th century, the noble family of Uythem owned this fiefdom. From 1628 the court was inhabited by Maria Kimps. She was married in 1616 to Jan Percy.

In 1628 Jan (Jehan) Percy was granted political asylum there. The domain was elevated to a fief by the Duke of Aarschot. This feudal service entailed, among other things, that soldiers could camp in the courtyard. Through marriage politics and investments, the family managed to expand the property to more than 50 hectares. The manor had dependencies in Moorsem, Baal, Werchter and Langdorp.This court would become the cradle of the Percy family with numerous descendants in the land of Aarschot. That there was also a black sheep in the family is known from the fact that son Gabriel was sentenced to death in 1678 by the aldermen's bench in Aarschot for the murder of Peter Vertruyen.

In 1701, Louis de Percy would renovate the brick-and-mortar mud house. The necessary 22,000 bricks were purchased in Betekom, where small brickyards were already being operated at the time. According to the anchor irons and the keystone, the construction was completed in 1701.

The first parish priest appointed in Begijnendijk in 1769 was Frans de Percy. It is also said to be a descendant of the Percy family, namely Alexander, who would be the first to grow potatoes in the region in 1788.

The painter Regine Wittermann lived in the court for a long time. She was married to the local historian Heial Guislain. Regine Wittermann was best known for the restoration of old works of art and participated in one of the first restorations of the Ghent Altarpiece. Together, the couple was committed to nature conservation around the Molenberg in Betekom.

Jan Rymenams