Court of Ename

Chaussée de Tournai number 388. Historic farm so-called "Hof van Ename" or "Hof van Bossuit", located on a southward-facing ridge near the Scheldt and the Moergracht. The ridge on which the farm was created was already inhabited in Roman times, as the centre of a villa. During the first half of the 12th century, the important possessions of Ename Abbey were built on the territory of the municipality. One of them was the Hof van Ename, the site formed the centre of a villa. The largest part of it (2/3 of an allodium) was located in Bossuit and Outrijve and was sold to the abbey by Thierry of Chièvres around 1128. The sale took place in the presence of the Count of Flanders, Thierry of Alsace, who was also guardian of the abbey who supervised the growth of the abbey's property and intervened in disputes. The reason for the sale is very unclear, but it is probably situated in a period of general impoverishment of the nobility. The core, formed between 1128 and 1141, was later expanded with properties located in Sint-Denijs and Moen.De name Ename is also linked to a jurisdiction, the abbot of the abbey had the jurisdiction there, in case of serious offenses the jurisdiction of the count applied. The administration of the villa was exercised by a mayor, first mentioned in an archive document from 1150. The farm itself is mentioned early on in various texts, e.g. in 1181 (as being part of the allodium located in Bossuit), further mentions in 1236 and 1335.From the 13th century (1267) the buildings are leased. In the 15th century, the tenant also held the office of bailiff, together with his aldermen he took care of the administrative and legal policy and was chairman of the local cijnshof. In 1477, the farm burned down as a result of the wars in the region. One year later, the repair work of the farm is still ongoing. The strategic importance of the Scheldt valley as a military transit point is evident from the fact that in the middle of the 17th century the farm served as a residence for soldiers on several occasions. During this period, according to the abbey's accounts, a lot of work was done on the farm buildings, including the renovation of the gate (1634), the construction of a new barn (1662) and the construction of sheep stables with the use of bluestone (1664). In 1662 the farm was composed of a horse stable, a dwelling house, a baking oven and a wagon house (to the north), an imposing barn (to the west) and a weaving room, pig, cow and sheep stables (to the east). In the middle of the yard there was a dovecote. In 1690 the farm is mentioned as one of the most important in the region. After the French Revolution, which put an end to the abbey's continued existence, the farm was sold as National Property. In the report of assignment she is described as "une belle ferme nouvellement bâtie en briques, ..., situé sur le territoire de la commune de Bossut, provenante de l'abbeye d'Eenaeme". This text shows that the farm was completely rebuilt shortly before 1792 on the old foundations under the direction of Dammien De Staercke.Accounts of the abbey mention the date 1792-1793. The farm is depicted on an undated plan with the possessions of the abbey at Bossuit. The plan is part of the so-called "Topographical Historical Atlas" kept in the State Archives in Ronse. The farm is referred to as "'t hof der Abdije van Eename tot Bossuyt". Also indicated as "Ferme d'Eenaeme" on the Ferrraris map (1770-1778), the map shows a farm with a closed layout, the access lane is also indicated. The primitive plan of the land registry (1827), the Atlas der Buurtwegen (ca. 1843) and the P.C. Popp map (circa 1850) show the gatehouse with adjoining stable wings, the house, the barn and the former wagon house. Research in the archives of the land registry shows that renovation works were carried out in 1865 and 1885, presumably in this period the ast was built. In 1946 the second entrance was covered, and a small volume was added to the east. Extension of the farm with new sheds in 1980, 1988, 1990 and 1997. The current appearance of the farm, with the exception of the chicory shaft obtained in 1792-1793. Unwalled farmhouse with closed arrangement consisting of whitewashed brick components under tiled gable or hipped roofs and grouped around a paved yard, preserved cobblestone sidewalks. The architectural uniformity of the buildings is striking. Preserved cobblestone road located between the Doornikseweg and the farm buildings bordered by plane trees, gives access to the farm. Southern yard access via monumental tower gate, flanked by stable wings. House to the east, double cross barn to the north, chicory ash and former open wagon house to the west. Second, cobbled yard access also to the west. Outside the yard is a two-storey utility building and a neighbour to the east, a dilapidated chapel to the north and a walled dung heap to the southeast. House. Impressive low volume of fourteen bays, basement double house of whitewashed brick with stepped frieze. Tiled gable roof with wolf's end broken by three dormers and a loading window, crowned by bell tower. Arched windows with renewed joinery, preserved bluestone recesses. Rectangular doorway with brick frame typical of the region (painted white), niche with statue of saints. Landing (not original) of four bluestone steps. Rear façade worked out in an analogous way. South side gable with braiding, presumably the side façade of an older construction that was integrated. Adapted interior, according to the literature with preserved cellars with barrel vault and preserved roof construction. Small volume to the east of 1946, adjacent to the house. Gate passage. Iconic volume of red brick (partly painted white) with incorporated dovecote, marked by two rows of small rectangular fly holes in a bluestone frame. Entirely crowned by hipped roof broken by a turret covered with wooden slates with weather vane. Coat of arms of the Abbey of Ename made of white stone above the entrance to the property. In front of the gatehouse openwork front building under tiled gable roof. Stable wings. Low volumes of whitewashed brick on pecked plinth rhythmed by lisenes and embellished by stepped frieze. Tiled roofs broken by loading windows. Rectangular wall openings, in the rear façade fitted with thief irons. In the stable, on both sides preserved bluestone slits, also preserved brick path. Completely vaulted by brick basket-arched vault with herringbone motif and supported by painted bluestone pillars with square capitals. Stairs with bluestone steps to the attic. Barn. Imposing volume with two arched wall openings with bluestone negro blocks. Preserved trusses. Ast. Partly whitewashed volume of red brick, ending in lower volume typified by three round arches.

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