This day trip brings you to several places linked to the historical figure of Everaard 't Serclaes.

It takes you along Kwade Wegen. And that is one of the most popular cycling and walking routes in Vlezenbeek.

The toponym "Kwade Wegen" can be found on old maps like the Fricx maps from 1712. The name Kwade, as in "Kwade Wegen," refers to difficult-to-work parcels, especially if they were easily overgrown with weeds or if they were marshy or heavily wooded meadows. And they are certainly marshy near the Laarbeek where the Lindemans brewery is located.

But the Kwadewegenstraat in Vlezenbeek is also tied to Brussels and Brabant history. On Maundy Thursday of the year 1388, the famous Brussels alderman Everaard 't Serclaes was mortally wounded here. You know him from the bronze statue in Brussels' Grote Markt, which many people rub for good luck. As lord of Kruikenburg, he was an important magistrate and advisor to the Brabant duchess Johanna and had strongly opposed the expansion plans of Sweder van Abcoude. This lord from Gaasbeek wanted to expand his territory. He had managed to purchase lands from the meierij of Rode unjustly. The Brabant duchess and the people of Brussels were not at all pleased with such a neighbor. Everaard 't Serclaes was ambushed by henchmen of the Gaasbeek lord during a horseback ride at this place. He had his foot hacked off and his tongue ripped out. Passersby found the unfortunate man and had him taken to Brussels, where he succumbed to his injuries in the house De Sterre on the Grote Markt. The monument now stands there as well. Everaard 't Serclaes was buried there in the church opposite the castle as lord of Ternat and Kruikenburg.

Period Tip

An excellent time to undertake this route is the end of March because on 26 March 1388, t'Serclaes was overpowered at dusk along this trajectory and severely beaten by hired assassins. A few days later, he would die in Brussels.