Abstract
Men of Power and Men of Knowledge in Liège between 1505 and 1557. From Érard de la Marck to the Imperial grip : Role and Understandings of the Military Architects. When the Italian Renaissance made its way into our regions, the Principality of Liège remains in the hands of an iconic and powerful prince-bishop, ensuring a certain autonomy to his possessions : Érard de la Marck (1505-1538). His display of power, downtown, reaches quite late the city walls : in 1536, he hires an architect and contractor from Dinant, Paul de Richelle, to design and build the new fortifications of Outremeuse, the district on the right bank of the river Meuse. Quickly, the ways of de Richelle collide with the mediaeval traditions used by the local guild of stonemasons. The man crystallises the resentment amongst the guild and will be assassinated three years after the disappearance of Érard. Meanwhile, Italian military engineers provide advice on all imperial possessions in Northern Europe. Liège can’t escape this flow. Inspired by the gigantic works in Antwerp at the same time, Liège will reveal its allegiance to Charles v in re-building its main entry points to the city.
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