Fleriskot

This farm is called the Fleriskot. It is likely the oldest center of the Templars in this region. Various legends also refer to a peasant servant, Flerus, who made the homestead unsafe. Since the 12th century, the Templars had several farms in their possession, where they could store the tithes they collected in the area. But the first real Commandery, where they engaged in agriculture and practiced their religion, was this farm. More than likely, they obtained this estate from the then Count of Flanders, Diederik of Elzas, who was a supporter of the crusading idea. In archives from the 14th century, it is referred to as the estate of Diclants Chapelle, and there was also mention of an 'oratoire', the term for the chapel of a Commandery. More than likely, Diclants Chapelle was a precursor to the large Commandery at Slijpe. Later, the farm was called Ten Diken, both names referring to the dike on which this farm was built, namely the Hoge Dijkweg. To stand even higher, the farm was also built on a raised hill. This can still be seen today. Stories about how the Templars constructed underground passages from this farm to Slijpe and Nieuwpoort still circulate. With burning carts, they allegedly rushed through here at night... From the 16th century onwards, the farm received a new name that has survived to this day. Various legends indeed refer to a peasant servant, Flerus, who made the homestead unsafe. Was it because his love for the farmer's wife was rejected, or was he sent by the devil? When people wanted to go to the fair, Flerus worked for three, but if they wanted to go to church, he sabotaged the affair. Flerus tied the cows’ tails to the ceiling, put the farmer's cart on the roof of the barn, and teased the servants and maids... One day, the farmer and farmer's wife grew tired of Flerus's tricks and called the pastor. He advised them to give Flerus porridge with garlic to eat. As soon as Flerus tasted it, he exclaimed: "Porridge with garlic! Flerus leaves, and luck goes too!" Due to this enchantment, Flerus was banished to the Red Sea, from where he comes closer every year with "the tummelutte of e luus and e sproenk of e vlooje." Since then, the Fleriskot has been cursed... No farmer would stay longer than nine years; the barn has burned down several times, and the harvests failed time and again... It is not a coincidence that this legend takes place in the 16th century, a time of religious tensions and the persecution of heretics. Perhaps Flerus was simply a Protestant? Because Flerus became known in the area, he was given a small statue. It stands at the church of Wilskerke. The buildings we see today are largely from the 18th century. Miraculously, they survived World War I, as the old mountain barn was indeed destroyed then. The barn that stands today was only built after World War II.

Toerisme Middelkerke