Lambert II, Count of Leuven

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Lambert II (reigned 1041 - 1063) assumed the title of count of Leuven after the death of his nephew Otto.[1] Lambert was the son of Lambert I of Leuven, who was killed at the Battle of Florennes in 1015.

Lambert scorned both temporal and spiritual authorities and in 1051 took up arms against Holy Roman Emperor Henry III by whom he was defeated.[1]

During his reign Brussels began its growth. Lambert ordered the construction of the church of Saint-Michel and arranged for the remains of Saint Gudule to be transferred there in a splendid procession.[1] The church, thereafter known as Saints-Michel-et-Gudule, developed to become St. Michael and Gudula Cathedral. Lambert also constructed a fortress on the Coudenberg hill and built the first town wall.[1]

In a document of September 1062 Lambert is described as "count of Brussels".[1]

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e State, 2003, p. 170.

[edit] References

  • State, Paul F. (2004). Historical Dictionary of Brussels. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 0810850753