Tombstone found in Ypres belonged to Jan De or Du Bruel, but who was he?
At the beginning of March, archaeologists carefully removed the medieval capstone next to St Martin’s Church. They found it during the reconstruction of the square. There were no human remains. The very brittle Tournai limestone had already cracked and when it was lifted it broke even more.
“No Ships”
Only the name of the deceased is now clear. “Thanks to Professor Paul Trio of KU Leuven, we are almost certain that it is someone called Jan De or Du Bruel. He is a burgher or citizen of the city of Ypres who would have stayed here in the period 1310-1330.” says Philip Bolle, alderman of Ypres Immovable Heritage.
“It certainly wasn’t an alderman, we checked that out. There was a known priest in the Belle Almshouse, but then it would be strange that that priest is not buried there, but just next to the cathedral. So we have certainty around the name, but may never know who the person really was.”