“klauwaard”:
the term “klauwaard”, named after a “klauwende” or clawing Flemish lion, denoted a supporter of the fight of the Count of Flanders in the 13th and 14th centuries against the King of France and his followers, the pro-French patricians (or so-called “leliaarts”). The “klauwaards” included most of the urban artisans, a large part of the Flemish high nobility and a considerable group of peasants. After the annexation of Flanders by France the “klauwaards” lost their seats on the city councils, but the Battle of the Golden Spurs handed them back the control of the cities. In the nineteenth century, the symbol of the “klauwaard” was recycled by the Flemish Movement in its fight against the Frenchified Flemish bourgeoisie.

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