Axel Verreyken shares the story of the Black Bear of Louvain. In this self-written tale, he takes the reader on a journey to the Duchy of Brabant at the end of the thirteenth century.
The story follows the rise of Salle, an ordinary citizen who earns recognition during a weapon tournament in Tienen. After his return to Louvain, his reputation grows further and he earns the nickname the Black Bear of Louvain.
The text is written in historicizing Middle Dutch and lets the character speak within his own time and world. A translation can be found below the original text.
In the year 1286, a tournament or weapon competition was held in Tienen, at the time of the feast day of Saint Germanus, patron saint of the city, as part of the yearly market, where many merchants and people gathered together.
There too, citizens were able to test their skills, both on foot and with weapons. I was there myself and saw how Salle fought in the foot competition.
He was not of noble birth, but he conducted himself boldly and with great perseverance. And after the fight, he was given a good helmet, as a sign of honour.
And when he returned to Louvain, honour was also done to him by the city.
Among the aldermen, there were Aert Nobel and Goordt de Vos, men of good name, he was granted permission to wear the colours of the city in his weapons and clothing.
People used to call him Salle the Black, because he mostly wore dark clothing, and also because of his rough appearance and quiet nature. Nevertheless, he was not cruel, but just in his dealings, as they say.
It is told that he once, by the Fish Market, protected a poor merchant against four foreign fellows who wanted to rob him.
Without sword or knife, with bare hands, he resisted them and drove them away. Whether this all happened exactly as it is told, I do not know for certain, but his name became renowned in the city through this.
And since that time, he has been called the Black Bear of Louvain.
Translation:
In the year 1286, a tournament or weapon competition was held in Tienen, during the feast of Saint Germanus, the patron saint of the city. This was part of the yearly market, where many merchants and visitors gathered together.
Citizens were also allowed to show their skills there, both on foot and with weapons. I was present myself and saw how Salle participated in the foot tournament.
He was not of noble birth, but he fought courageously and with great perseverance. After the battle, he received a good helmet as a sign of honour.
When he returned to Louvain, he was also honoured by the city. With the approval of the aldermen, including Aert Nobel and Goordt de Vos, both men of standing, he was granted permission to wear the colours of the city on his weapons and clothing.
People often called him Salle the Black, because he usually wore dark clothing and because of his rough appearance and quiet character. Yet he was not a cruel man, but fair in his dealings, at least according to the stories.
It is told that he once, at the Fish Market, protected a poor merchant against four strangers who wanted to rob him.
Without sword or knife, with only his bare hands, he managed to resist them and drive them away. Whether this really happened exactly as it is told, I am not entirely sure, but through this his name became known in the city.
Since that time, he has been called the Black Bear of Louvain.
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