Legend of the Crowned Chimneys of Bruges Town Hall

The chimneys of the town hall of Bruges are decorated with golden crowns .

The legend goes like this:

King Charles VII of France, thanks to the actions of Joan of Arc , had military successes in the battle against the English. However , he was best known among his contemporaries for his countless love affairs . He had thereby adopted the habit of installing his "conquests" in one of the many castles he owned.

For example, one day he had a young lady installed in a castle with large estates, called "ConchylePot" . No one would have taken offense if it had not been for the fact that the king had previously given this estate to another young lady, and this for the same reason. The latter took the decision to do everything possible to regain possession of her previously acquired right. The case was brought to court , but each time adjourned or transferred to other courts. After all, it was a matter involving , on the one hand, the highest authority of the country, and on the other hand , many high-ranking officials, and in particular the commanders of the French army, who were tired of seeing the king fluttering about "in a perfume of perfume". instead of following the war against the English, it stood up for the cast-off mistress .

Ultimately , the case was brought before the Bruges court , which was world renowned at the time. It was not long discussed in Bruges. After all, the history of ConchylePot was well known, partly through stories and songs of itinerant minnesingers and troubadours who, with the necessary humor, had said of ConchylePot: "C'est ici qu'on chie le pot"... . The judgment of the Bruges court alluded to this and read: "By the nature of the case, and judging by its content, ConchylePot must be regarded as an inviolable and inalienable right of the owner ".

The king who had his way with this was extremely pleased with the verdict. He said: "The chimneys through which the breath of those wise persons ascends deserve to be crowned." The deed was matched with the word, and since that time two golden crowns have stood on top of the chimneys of the Bruges town hall.

Willem Vandenameele