TITRE: ENGLISH: POTTER FAMILIES 1050-1750 <PARTIE>

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© Nicolas de Potter d’Indoye, Brussels, 2020
Print on demand and eBooks published by
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Information & orders: www.potter.c.la
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FAMILIES FOREST REBELS
<< “Black sheeps” are path finders for families’ constellations.
Members of a fraternity, braking traditions. Those who, since childhood,
question beliefs and standards. Rebels, criticized, judged and
rejected by the clan. However, they feel a vacuum and fill it with love.
They are trend-setters, whistleblowers, releasing the group from
mistake or re-enacted stories, which frustrated entire generations.
Those modern strangers, against all conservative odds, shout their
rebellion towards the brotherhood and play a crucial role in each
bloodline. They repair, detoxify, uncover new roots, tree blossoms,
and reach out to DNA, show the beauty of united families.
Thanks to them, forests regenerate. Their thinking outside the box,
with a fresh approach, is fertile ground, nourishing. Their
stubbornness creates new tracks, their passion is the fire that
rekindles, in modern patterns, the hearts of the ancestors and reconnect
them to modern times.
Repressed desires, unrealized dreams, frustrated talents, murders of
ancestors, are manifested in the resistance of these disturbers. They
are pure souls, trying to be useful to all. The inertia of traditions
maintained a negative growth. Our brave “Robin Woods” empower
families with a new positive environment.
The human genome acid test is moving our hearts… Who would
bring new seeds and flowers to our plants, if not the Families Rebels?
Who would stretch out new leafs, build new ties, across ancient souls?
Without them, the hopes of previous generations, for next children
moving up, would be buried under rotting roots.
Heritage angels help with transmitted impairment and rarity of love.
Like a distant mirror in the sky, they inspire the beauty of peace.
Trillions of tears and smiles fall on you like sky dust, from the ancient
times, to nourish your tender re-united young spirits! >>

Based on the text of Bert Hellinger, genealogic therapy expert.
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LINEAGES POTTER(E)
Some of the allied families:
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Profound Respect to Her Royal Highness
MATHILDE
Gracious Queen of Belgium
of millennial ancestors UDEKEM d’ACOZ, beloved Belgian braves.
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Profound Respect to Her Royal Highness
ELISABETH
Gracious Princess of Belgium
of millennial ancestors UDEKEM d’ACOZ, beloved Belgian braves.
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Laugh with respect. Smile with love. Gather sensible people and kids.
Take advantage of criticism in good faith. Let go unfriending friends.
Appreciate others’ beauty. Leave good things behind: healthy child,
clean nature, humans breathing better. Because you passed here.
That's what I call: “a successful life”!
Ralph W. Emerson
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THANKS
To my beloved kids Aymar, Eleonor + , Olivia, Magali, Youri, Dorsan
de POTTER d’INDOYE, my family André, Amaury, Christophe,
Guillaume, Pierre, Stéphane, Marie-Claire de POTTER d'INDOYE,
the late honorable Dame Henri de POTTER d’INDOYE, born
Princess Elisabeth de MERODE, Suzanne, Ingrid Gaby, Gérald,
Miguel, Diego de POTTER, Jean de POTTER de ten BROECK,
Eric de POTTER de ZINZERLING, Fernand de POTTER de
DROOGENWALLE, Yvonne de POTTER said d’ELSEGHEM,
Denis, Serge, Christian, Peter-Frank, Sven, Vincent, Patrick, Hugo,
Etjen, Filippe, Dorothée DE POTTER, the POTTER Association,
cousins Dame Nicole d’UDEKEM d’ACOZ, Nicolas de
GHELLINCK d’ELSEGHEM, Véronique, Béatrice, Geneviève,
Isabelle, François van CALOEN, Alain van HILLE...
Cousin Henri BRUSSIN, Oxford professor Derrick GOSSELIN,
Pieter DONCHE, Heraldic College, Flemish Genealogy Board,
Dame Françoise de CASAUBON, Annick MALARD, DNA-experts
Wim PENNINX and Astrid KRAHN, Danielle de LAMINNE de
BEX, Arnaud WATELET.
For a Lophem Castle meeting, prof. Paul JANSSENS, former chairman
Nobility council of the Kingdom of Belgium, Cleveland MOFFETT,
ex-editor of The Bulletin Magazine and Noël VANDE PUTTE.
For their ad-hoc help, to baroness Els WITTE, Pierre-Paul DE
BEIR, Jo STEVERLINCK, Dominique RODENBACH, Paul DE
CLERCK, family of Louis de Potter’s aunt; Sebastiaan De RAEDT,
Laurent INGHELBRECHTS, Jos MEVENSEN, volunteers in
West-Flanders; Charles SCHOUW and Adrie RAADERSMA (NL);
Heads of Royal Archives Chris VANDE WALLE (Dixmude), Eric
DEVOS (Renaix), Maurice VANDERMAESEN (Bruges), Michiel
MESTDAGH (Tourhout); to Patrick ARNOU, Mayor of Zedelgem-
Loppem, Karl VANDENBROECK (Bozar).
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All my gratitude, for their genuine genealogy help, to the families van
CALOEN de BASSEGHEM, COPPIETERS t’WALLANT, de
GHELLINCK d’ELSEGHEM, van OUTRYVE d’YDEWALLE,
van POTTELSBERGHE de la POTTERIE, de SCHIETERE de
LOPHEM and, last but not least, d’UDEKEM d’ACOZ.
Private Nicolas de POTTER d’INDOYE, Esq.
Res. Lt Col., Cmdr Crown Order, hon. Advisor to the president of the
High Assembly of Canada, hon. Secretary General of the Euroregion
Team member Pieter Donche, genealogy expert, with Nic de Potter, in Renaix.
Pieter is not a book patron but made it possible with his immense work in Bruges.
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Why is it complex to be happy? You think...
The Past was better than it really was,
the Present, worse than it actually is,
the Future, harder than it will be!
Marcel Pagnol
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POTTER’s Street
Origin of a Name 17
Family Origins 23
Karel & Lodewyck de Potter 61
Potter Family Forest 83
French Pottier ‘s 87
British Potter ‘s 95
Dutch Potter ‘s 103
Jan de Potter 123
Louis de Potter 155
Armand de Potter 341
Frans De Potter 353
Jean de Potter 369
Nicolas de Potter 393
Making Of 397
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FOREWORD
I have known Esquire Nicolas de Potter d’Indoye, for more than 30 years.
Driven by a passion for family history and excellence, Nicolas started
to tell me about his dream, his opus magnum, more than 20 years ago.
What an adventure, what an accomplishment, what an effort and
dedication! A journey which generations will remember for sure.
Nicolas told me it all started around the emblematic year 2000 when
Cleveland Moffett, former editor of The Bulletin Magazine, suggested
to write a families book during a visit to the Castle of Lophem.
This visit was actually an important moment, even paramount to this
project, as it was built by the family of Belgium’s first Prime Minister,
Louis de Potter, Nicolas’ distant family member. This visit triggered
this broad historical sociological research and deep family genealogy
search. A journey of 20 years started with this single visit, with a distant
family mirror. Many steps would follow before this quest would reach
its destiny in 2020.
This book is a unique combination of history, sociology and
genealogy research, over nearly 1000 years. Hence it provides a
unique perspective as it is built around fascinating adventures of
various sociologically different families “de Potter”, reinforced by
extensive archives and library research, with the help of a team of
academic researchers. In combining disciplines around sociologically
different family names “de Potter”, Nicolas depicts how social
mobility evolved in Flanders and Belgium over nearly a millennium.
This resulted in a fine portrait of the “Belgian - Low Countries -
Flanders” society, reflected by different (de) Potter families, over a
time span between the years 1000 and 2000. Such a wide range
explains why it took Nicolas 20 years of study.
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Wars, revolutions, religious banishments make primary historical
records and sources scarce, especially in West-Flanders... However,
nothing stopped Nicolas. During so many years he worked hard on
this societal contribution, describing unpublished true stories.
They are well supported by numerous sources, here and on his
website, also pleasant to read, through the use of a modern language,
illustrated with many quality images.
We consider it a privilege to recommend this book and sign this
preface alike. We hope that the historical contribution of Nicolas will
be well received, recognized and studied by people who love history,
in its broader sociological context, as much as we do; and that others
will be stimulated to further contribute to the innovative approach
and knowledge inspired by the example of my friend Nicolas.
Derrick Philippe GOSSELIN,
Former Chief of Cabinet,
Minister-president of Flanders,
Fellow Royal Academy of Belgium,
Consul of France in Belgium (Bruges).
With genuine support of:
Paul BREYNE, OBE, Honorary Governor of West Flanders,
Lies LARIDON, Major of Dixmude, Councilor of West-Flanders
Hilde CREVITS, Flanders Minister of Education, Kingdom of Belgium.
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Origin of a name
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In early days, names were assigned in function of (1) a [saint’s] first
name, often used as “patronym”, (2) a geographic place e.g. village or
city, (3) in function of a characteristic such as physical appearance,
style or temper, (4) in function of demographic origin e.g.
“Hollander” or “Lefrançois”, (5) in function of a profession (see
below) or... combinations of the above!
Spelling of names was not so important in the past. Families who
were lucky to have their (first) name written down were the happy few.
There were less inhabitants and craftsmen in villages. Few people had
the same name or profession. Notaries, priests and civil servants were
not as accurate as today. The name “Potter” was transcribed
“Pottere” or “Potters” (Pottersoone, son of…; ‘s Potters, family of ...) or
Pottre (BE), Pottes (BE/FR), Pottier (BE), Pottiez (BE), Pottère
(FR), Pötter (DE), Poterus (NL), Potier (FR), Pooter (BE), Poortere
(BE), plus variants “le Pottere” (BE/FR/UK), “le Potier” (FR), “de
Pottier” (FR), “de Pottes” (FR/BE), “Depottere”...
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At the end of the 1st Millenium, in the cities of Cambrai, Tournai,
Courtrai, Roubaix and Renaix, some brave craftsmen were
manufacturing clay or iron pots. Some were esquires with the Duke of
Mortaigne in Potelle, cousin of French kings, husband of Countess
Alix of Flanders from Lille.
Different POTTERS’ families took advantage of rich soils and iron
crafts expertise in the region. Also, the presence of the Escaut river,
and the proximity of the sea, were advantages to ship heavy clay jars
(Hainaut, Flanders) and cast iron caldrons (Liège).
Quality work across centuries allowed transfer of their coat of arms and
crafts emblems onto local blasons of cities or places like: Potte (Arras),
Potes -Pottelbergh (Renaix), Trou Pottier (Tournai), Potelle (Mons),
Potterye (Roulers/ Bruges)...
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Pots were manufactured abundantly by craftsemen in Tournai
between 900 and 1200. These ones were found nearby, on
Pottelberghe mount near Renaix and in Poperinge.
Potters’ craftsmen were under pressure alongside
the “Bellum” (war) border region, soon Belgium
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Family Origins
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In the families table below, seven old roots of the POTTERE forest
were matched with survivors, archives and DNA. Ancient spellings,
refer to cities (Pottes, Potelle), landmarks (post, potteau, Roman sign),
crafts (potterye) or jobs (Poortere: door keeper).
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1. “Pottere” found around year 1089 in North-Brabant where
Herman, leader of the harbour of Bergen-Op-Zoom, initially
carried a Lion and three U-shaped signs.
This lineage flourished several centuries with: (1) elected
members of city councils (Bergen-Op-Z., Breda), (2) fleet
admiral with Dutch-Scotts marine, (3) fleet esquire with
knight Godfrey of Bouillon, (4) esquires of Charles Duke of
Lorraine, (5) Prelate of Zeeland in Middleburg.
Thereafter carrying three pots, sub-branches developed in
Amsterdam with various skills: (6) writer, (7) painter, (8)
Lutherian mayor (renamed Potterus in Utrecht) and (9) in
the United Kingdom, elected member of the Essex assembly
and (10) archbishop of Canterbury (le Pottere);

2. “Pottier” ancestors in Frasnes, province of Hainaut, were
found around 1100 near Renaix where the above branch
originated. They lived close to the family ”Pottes”, of the
Lords of Pottes, found as early as 970 in the cities of Pottes
(BE), Potte (FR) and Potelle (BE/FR), with several related
sub-groups: Pottiez, Pott(i)er, Potter, Potèlle, Potèrre.
They were also active in the booming clay, iron and textured
molding, occupying over ten mayorates during several
hundred years, in the cities of Tournai, Renaix and Frasnes.
All connected to nearby cities of Pottes and Potelle and, not
far, the city of Potte in France.
- An iron-craft sub-branch “Potter” moved to Brussels,
providing elected members in South Brabant Province
like Macaire in 1257 and in the Brussels City Council.
o The key-figure in Brussels was Jan, writing
famous Brussels chronicles under the byname
“Pottre” whose statute is on the façade of the
Brussels City Hal, near the one of Vesalius.
o With Jan’s father, Thomas, this branch originated
a whole Brussel Ommegang lineage of senior
“silversmith Nation” and ciseled chaldrons
craftsmen between 1300 and 1600, exposed today
in the Castle of Laarne (Ghent);
- A leading textile sub-branch “Potter” (ancient: Pottere),
the one of the book’s author, moved around 1500 to
Ghent providing elected members (Joseph, Henri...);
- Other textile craftsmen “De Poortere” on the Northern
France frontier also originated in the region of Renaix or
Roubaix but were not yet analyzed;
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- A line “Pot(t)ier”, linked to French Founding Fathers
identified in French-Flanders around 1100, providing a
stronghold with Receiver of King’s treasure in Lille, head
of an abbey near Mount Cassel, and one in Alveringhem
(West-Flanders), with ties to several leading priests and
abbey intendants in Poperingues and Tournai (1200).
3. “Potterie” and “Poterye” (and nordic style Potterik), found
around 1200 in West-Flanders, including Créstien, official
with the City of Bruges in 1170, followed by different elected
members and court members in that century.
Further down the line, a Lodewyck was deputy Bailiff of the
Free State of Bruges, a Liévin was head of the corporation of
the textile craftsmen and a Robert was high representative of
Bruges to the Prussian city of Bremen;
4. “Pottere” and “Pottaeyre” (seen “”Pottey”) found around 1300
in Mons (Egidius) and Liège (Leuder), related to the
“Pottier” and “Potier” branches above, occupying business
and political functions in and around both cities.
A sub-branch “Potère” moved to Roubaix, Mouscron and
Courtrai, also providing textile experts and elected members.
5. “Potter” found around 1400 in Liège-Limburg, providing a
back-link in Antwerp with cousin Thomas, Receiver of the
King of Spain in 1625. Members of that branch moved to
Prusland (Germany) with possibly adapted patronyms
“Pötter”, “Potten’dorf”, “Potter’hausen”.
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Working backwards on five roots, researchers Pieter Donche,
Jacques de Potter, other experts of Flanders family research board,
plus several archivists, helped us analyze hundreds of history records.
We matched five “modern branches”, detailed in the timeline and
verified DNAs with experts Yseq.net and Wim Penninx. Here is a
summary ot the results (colored on the family diagram to follow).
1. HAINAUT “Pottere” re-united root, with the tree ancient
lines as options:
- “Pottes” and “Potèlle” lordships and families provided
several mayorates in the city of Pottes in 1000-1400 and
Tournai. They then disappeared while several persons
still carry this name today, around Roulers.
Also, the “green branch” carries the same coat of arms,
inspired/ taken over from this original branch?
- Frasnes ”Pottier” sub-branch along with Renaix
“Potter” sub-branch, identified by princess Elisabeth de
Merode and her cousin, father Jacques de Potter, plus
genealogist Douxchamps for the years 1357-1650,
merging into the “blue branch” listed below, further
detailed and ascertained by a Leuven genealogist too;
- Mons, Dour, Alost “Pottier” and “Potèrre”, identified
by chief archivist of Renaix. This sublet provided a
mayorate in Dour in 1500, with sublet moved to
Audenaerde (mayorate in 1600) and further to
Avelghem (mayorate in 1700).
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2. WEST-FLANDERS “Potter” re-united roots, with three
old lines as solid basis:
- Bruges “Potterye” (1300), “Pottier” (1400), “Pottere”
(1500), “Potter de Droogenwalle“ in Keyem/
Dixmude, “Potter“ (1600+), precisely identified by
expert Pieter Donche.
Several volunteers found representatives of the district of
St. Omer (Créstien Potterye in 1300), an elected member
of the Free State of Bruges (Jean in 1307), a deputy Bayliff
of the Free State of Bruges (Lodewyk in 1680), a delegate
to the city of Bremen (Robert in 1600), etc.;
- Alveringhem ”Potter(e)” (1600) and then East-Flanders
Audenaerde (1650) identified by cousin Henri Brussin
plus Patrick de Potter. Kerchove “Potter” (1700)
dentified by Wim Penninx and the Yseq ADN lab, with
Fernand as survivor, Avelghem “Potter” (1750) identified
by Denis and Yvonne de Potter, with Sven as survivor,
and finally French Flanders Uxem “Potter” (1770)
identified by Paul De Clerck, with Joost, Liam and Pascal
as survivors of above green line.
- Westhoek “Pottere”, (1600) Courtrai-Heule
“Potterye” and French-Flanders well identified by
freelance volunteers Annick Malard in France and cousin
Henri Brussin in Mouscron-Roubaix, providing e.g. a
Receiver of the King’s estates in Lille in 1570 and ties to
several abbeys in Mount Cassel and Poperinge in 1600.
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3. GHENT AND BRABANT “Potter” re-united roots
“blue branch”, fully identified by Elisabeth de Merode,
genealogist Douxchamps and Fernand de Potter, providing
numerous alliances with the families Udekem, Holstein -
Luxembourg, Merode, Lannoy, Davignon, Ghellinck,
Caloen, Kint, Saverys, Casaubon...
4. DUTCH “Pottere”, Potter, Potterus re-united roots,
“parse branch”, fully identified as from 1093, by Jkhr
Beelaerts van Blokland and us, with direct link to the Ghent
branch (Abraham), identified by a Leuven expert, plus a
stronghold in Antwerp with the Receiver of the King of
Spain, Thomas (1650), but not yet known living descendants
in The Netherlands.
5. SAINT-NICOLAS “Potter” re-united “pink branch”
found around 1400 in the Land of Waes, fully identified with
the great support of biology dr. Vincent de Potter, Christian,
Serge (direct descendants of Frans), plus Peter-Frank de
Potter. They are all closely related to the famous historian
Frans de Potter, while all above roots relate 10.000 years ago.
Above colors match the Families Table (see large one on last page of the book)
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The oldest “reliable” basic POTxxxRx families background and
reference book which we found is shown below. It was based on
“noble names” of Cambray-Tournay regions, with their cities crafts
emblems and families “coats of arms”, as early as the 12th century.
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Across ages, transcription of names, on corn paper or papyrus, was
done with a bird’s feather, at candle light, in the cold, war after war,
many times in a row! It sometimes caused an “s” to become “r” or
“z”... Or “tt” to become “t”... And “o” to become “u”. Also, with
changes of official language, names varied from “de Potter” into “le
Potier” or “de Poorter” or “ ‘s Potters”.
In the 10th century, craftsmen living in the cities of Pottes (BE) and
Potte (FR), were identified as “Pott(i)er” or “Potier” or “Potters”
and “Po(t)tiez”. They lived all over the lower water regions, along
the rivers of Aquitaine, Brabant, Britanny, Flanders, Hainaut,
Picardy... Their crafts and art blasons (coats of arms) were often
conferred onto their city of deployment.
In the 11th century, the names “de Pottes”, “de Pottelle”, “de
Poterre” or “le Pottier” were being more consistently used. They did
refer to afore mentioned powerful iron and clay craftsmen along the
Escaut river. While some (natural childs?) “ Pottes(de)” and “(‘s)
Potters” still survive today in Ypres, here is a family “Pottes”
research made by late cousin Amaury de Ghellinck:
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According to the “Tournai ancient painters index”, listed around 1425,
an artist by the name of Pierrequin de Pottes, “also registered as
de Potter” (sic), was dispatched to the court of the Duke of
Burgundy in Bruges.
He had moved from Tournai to Bruges, to join the preparation of
celebrations for the installation of the Dukes of Burgundy’s family in
Bruges.
In the same period, the Lord of Gruuthuyse in Bruges married the
grand-daughter of Catherine de Pottere, as stated by Edward
Gaillard in the Royal Archives of Belgium in 1885.
Catherine was married around 1420 to Allart, son of Robert, count
of Mortaigne, family of the Dukes of Mortaigne, Lords of Pottes and
counts of Pottelle.
More details are provided in the chapter about the family of Louis de
Potter de Droogewalle, who happens to carry the arms of... Catherine
de Pottere, hairess of the castle of Potelles.
In 1433, a Knight Gilles de Potelle, attached to the house of Countess
Marguerite, Dame of the Hainaut county, learned that the Duke of
Burgundy, her nephew, was collecting too much money for himself.
Gilles joked, telling people that he would hunt him down one day.
Gilles was immediately accused of a crime and got his head cut off…
His castle was confiscated by Jean de Carondelet, minister of the
Duke Charles-the-Rash. The castle was built in 1290 by Guillaume de
Mortaigne, Lord of Pottes, count of Pottelle who kept it until 1490.
Ancient arms of the city of Pottes were “blue and white stripes cut by a
red line”. Later on, both cities carried three pots, like the families.
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Meanwhile, we had found in the archives of Tournai, in the 12th
century, afore mentioned family “de Potter” (BE) and “le Pottier”
(FR), living near the city of Pottes (BE), on the Escaut river.
In the 13th century, the “Lordship of of Pottes” grew up, hanging
together with the “French” city of Potte, in the Somme region,
further up the river.
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The marriage of Catherine de Pottere, Dame of of Pottes greatgrand-daughter
of Countess Alix of Flanders, at the castle of of
Pottelle, with Duke Allart of Mortaigne, count of of Pottelle,
reinforced this family option, also because members of the Mortaigne
family acquired lordships in Middelburg, linked to the ones of the
“green branch” which also carried the same coat of arms!
Also, The High Society of The Hague, identified ancestor Herman
de Pottere in 1093, freighting boats on the Escaut river, North of
Antwerp. He was the cousin of Hermès in Renaix.
As shown by Mr B. van Blokland (High Society The Hague, 1870),
Herman de Pottere, was made esquire in Dutch Brabant (Breda) in
1093, at service of King Godfrey of Bouillon, Duke of Lorraine,
Marquis of Antwerp. Herman was gearing up crusaders in the port of
Bergen-Op-Zoom (Rotterdam).
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Under Herman came a lineage with several maritime mayors, an
advisor to King Charles The Rash (Geerart), an advisor to the Prince
Orange of The Netherlands (Maximiliaan), a prelate of the Free State
of Zeeland (Roeland in Middelbourg who had studied in Bruges), sea
captain of Dutch-Scottish fleet (Roelant), great poet (Diric), key
painter Paul (from Courtrai, made noble by prince of Orange).
Castle of Godfrey of Bouillon (Ardennes)
In the 13th centuries, Herman’s descendants splitted into four roots:
- Renaix (Pottere) and Frasnes (Pottier), also carrying ancient
stripes and one pot (like Jean de Pottère 1270 in Royal Library’s
blazons) or three pots (like Gilles 1357);
- In Saint-Omer (Pottere, Pottier), also carrying three pots as
coat of arms;
- In Liège (Pottier), carrying the ancient striped coat of arms,
crossed by the red line;
- In Mons (Pottier), old heraldic red line with a gray base field.
These roots possibly all tie up into of Pottes/Pottelle and certainly
into Tournai as shown on the family table and within the adventures
of different amazing personalities selected…!
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Starting in Frasnes and Renaix in 1357, a detailed book of 400 pages
was published at Tradition & Vie in 1964 by Dame Henri de Potter
d’Indoye, born Princess Elisabeth de Merode.
The research was done during more than 20 years by father Jacques
de Potter and validated by genealogist Douxchamps, with whom we
went to visit uncle Jacques, in the Abbey of Rochefort.
Supported by Eric Devos, Head of the Royal Archives of Renaix, this
research was done by the monk de Potter, published by my aunt,
Princess de Merode, promoted by my grandmother, viscountess
Davignon, daughter of the President of the Royal Literature
Academy. We offered a copy to prof. Paul Janssens, allied cousin,
honorary chairman of the High Council of Nobility of the Kingdom.
He acknowledged the work, starting before 1357 in Renaix (Ronse)
and Frasnes, with evidences by genealogists Delghust (1896), Butsele
(1950), Douxchamps (1964)...
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Arms of pot craftsmen region, transferred onto the cities.
With Leuder, mentioned in Liège in 1170, Gilles in 1250 in Mons,
and Jacob in 1357 in Renaix, plus their cousins (Pottere and Pottier)
in Frasnes in 1250 and Bruges in 1320, we can say that the oldest
members of both the “Roman” and “Flemish” branches were
identified accurately by these experts. The recent work by Willy
Delhaye re-confirms above family ties established with the Dutch and
German branches, as well, further explained below.
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After the solid 12th and 13th century options above, follows Jacob
(1400), referred to as “son of Gilles” (1357), clearly identified by the
head of the Royal Archives of Renaix, with appertaining official
material (reference below), with confirmed lateral link with the
Frasnes ancestors.
The evidence, mentioned on the picture below, is called “Document
Maes”, archived in the Registrar of Renaix as early as 1357. It was
produced a first time by genealogist cited below on the photograph,
Dr. Delghust, and kept in the “de Potter Repository” at the Royal
Archives in Renaix and Ghent. Based on the works of Maes, Butsele,
Delghust, Douxchamps and Devos, the Leuven expert re-confirmed
the uninterrupted family bloodline from those days until today.
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Above archives were found in 1958 by the Rochefort fathers de
Potter, published by princess de Merode and deposited with the
Belgian Genalogy Office, no remarks eversince. They all worked
accurately. Louis Maes, author of the “Document Maes” was a clerk
of the City of Renaix. He also was our cousin, via Nicolas Maeterlinck
(ancestor of Nobel Prize of Literature, Maurice Maeterlinck), also
from Renaix, both related to Head of Archives Devos.
Like Eric Devos, father de Potter showed us his archives and research
papers at the Abbey of Rochefort in 1995, in the presence of
genealogist Douxchamps. In the mean time, a book, also registered
at the Genealogy Office of Belgium, did cut off three centuries in our
tree. The fathers de Potter and my beloved late aunt Dame Henri de
Potter d’Indoye - de Merode, plus several other experts, and me, are
convinced that there is no doubt about Gilles in Renaix in 1357 to be
the direct ancestor of all blue branch descendants.
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The research hereafter is an update, further documented on our
website. Any amelioration, with the Family Association are welcome.
Archives files, “Repository de Potter” at the Royal Archives of both
Gand/Ghent and Renaix include numerous pieces which we
consulted. The example below, written by Eric Devos, Head of
archives in Renaix, testifies of the official roles of related lineages
“de/ le Pottier” or “de Pottere” in the administration of the Barony
of Renaix during 300 years as of 1332.
The vast POTTER archives (Roman, Flemish, French, Dutch…)
were analyzed by (1) archivist Maes in 1760, (2) genealogist Blokland
in 1870, (3) the Association of Nobility Kingdom of Belgium in 1896,
(4) genealogist Delghust in 1896, (5) archivist Butsele in 1964, (6)
genealogist Coppieters t’Wallant in 1950, (7) genealogist de Schietere
de Lophem in 1956, (8) fathers genealogists de Potter in 1958, (9)
genealogist Douxchamps in 1964, (10) over twenty archivists
between 2000-2020, including Eric Devos, Head of Royal Archives
of Renaix, (11) a Leuven genealogist in 2016, (12) genealogist Pieter
Donche, in 2017-2019 with (13) private Nicolas de Potter d’Indoye
and (14) kindly reviewed by prof. Dr. Ir. Derrick Gosselin in 2019
and (15) reinforced by ten DNA-tests by Yseq in 2020.
42

43

In the 15/16th Centuries, Renaix was a booming city, exporting
throughout Europe. The family of Liévin de Potter, had exercised
responsibilities there for two centuries. Year after year, modernity
developed and the Grand Inquisitor of the Church violently opposed
this… The bloody Duke of Alba rejected the peace treaty signed by
city leaders. Three Potter signees were heavily condemned.
The painting by S. van Ruysdael shows the family escape, with
coat of arms on the wagon. Below is the rejected “1566
Renaix Peace Compromise”, with family branches signatures.
The cruel Duke of Alba cut off Liévin de Potter’s head, and banished
his brother Willem and cousin Louis, with friends Van Coppenolle,
t’Sersander and other protesting families. This disturbed the
establishment up to Brussels where the family was led by cousins
Anton and Jan.
44

45

46

Near Pottes and Pottelles, Renaix is named after the nearby stream
Ronse of the Escaut river. Border city, taken by the Franks (440),
Romans (500), Vikings (800), it was often destroyed.
In the 7thC it was re-built around Amand’s church, patron of beer,
wine and pots makers. When Hermès’ relics arrived, count of
Flanders Dampierre (x Luxemburg, x Béthune) ruled. Thereafter,
textile families Cambier, Coppenolle, Potter… prospered until
religious wars. Escaping fires (1478, 1518, 1553, 1573) families
moved to Amsterdam, Bruges, Bremen…
Work of genealogist Delghust
Secret archives of the 3 fathers de Potter Rochefort Abbey
47

48

Families Structure
49

GAND/GHENT
Ghent with lineages in Belgium (Potter, Indoye, Zinzerling, ten
Broeck), Luxembourg, Denmark, Germany (Pottere), identified by
Jacques and Elisabeth de Potter. Jean-François de Potter (1737-
1801) had married Reine de Bay, daughter of the Chamberlain of
Archduchess of Austria in Ghent, who included several family
members, also of the green branch, into the nobelty.
Jean-François de Potter
50
Emperoress Maria-Theresia of Austria

Extract of Luxemburg branch (blue line in family table)
“Europa Haus de Pottere”, Aurich, Germany
51

BRUGES
(Dixmude, Keyem, Vladslo, Tourhout...)
The “de Potter” family, to which journalist and politician Louis de
Potter belonged to, as leader of the 1830 Government of Belgium,
called herself “de Droogenwalle” as of the 18th century. The greatgrandfather
of Louis, Jean-Guillaume de Potter, first counselor of
Dixmude and Nieuport, Counsellor of the High Council of Malines
as of 1726, was, by virtue of this position, enrolled in nobility, with
patent letters of 17 June of that year.
Droogenwalle was a small lordship, of about 3 hectares, acquired by
Jean-Guillaume at the beginning of the 18th century to the family of
the counts de Merode. Located near the church in Keyem, a village
north of Dixmude, it belonged to the county of Middelburg in
Flanders, itself depending of the “Free State of Bruges” (part of the
Duchy of Mortaigne before 1300).
52

It is also in Keyem that the direct ancestors of this family are found,
in the 16th century. A genealogy of this family was published in the
“Annuaire de Noblesse Belge” in Brussels, in 1896, I, pp. 144-153,
without the name of the author. See the first paragraphs of this study
here besides. Although incomplete, this work was reliable for the
period after 1650, but remained incomplete for the period before.
Pieter Donche reconstructed the genealogy of the family “de Potter
de Droogenwalle” for the period before 1800. It was done accurately,
between 2017 and 2019, on the basis of authentic archival sources
such as: “states of goods” (possessions), “orphan accounts”
(inheritances), “parish registers” (churches records), and numerous
other official archival sources out of the formerly called “Free State
of Bruges”. Ties to the present day were ascertained by DNA-tests.
The most ancient and certain ancestor of that line is Pieter de Potter,
son of Jacob (1525). He was born around 1540 and married Maria
Boone. He owned two lending estates in Keyem, south-east of the
church, attached to the lending estate of Schorre (Dixmude). Jacob
and Pieter belong to the branch of Jan Dries, esquire of Dixmude in
the 13th Century with coat of arms in the Royal Library in Brussels.
Dixmude was attached to the County of Middlebourg, like the family
lordships Droogenwalle and Haveskerque, bought to cousin Merode,
as indicated in the library of the Castle of Loppem. Based on a text
by Gaillard, their arms were carried over from Catherine de Pottere,
Dame of Mortaigne and Potelle, heiress of Alix of Flanders in Lille.
Throughout the entire 16th century, we came across several
inheritances with the name de Pottere in and around Keyem. From
the earliest one, it can be concluded that this branch had already been
present in the region at the end of the 1400s but the complete
destruction of the municipal archive during World War One prevents
us, for the time being, from finding more evidences than the ones in
this book. Online DNA-results are instrumental in this verification.
53

Prior to consulting specific sources, Pieter Donche firstly analyzed,
for example, the enrollment lists of the University of Leuven or the
list of magistrates of the High Council of Malines and found the
following references to name carriers (de) "Potter" or "Pottier" or
"Pottere":
54

Searching hundreds of Archives in Bruges, Pieter Donche then
focused on the village of Keyem, near Dixmude where the branch
“Potter de Droogenwalle” originated. In the chapter about Louis de
Potter, he did a fantastic job identifying the full lineage, up to the end
of the 15th Century!
55

With other experts, we also found numerous other possible links for
the “green branch”, e.g.:
1. In 1308: Créstien de Potter(i)e was Alderman of Bruges
(Royal Archives Brussels);
2. In 1310: Jean de Potter was an esquire of Bruges in 1310
(Seals R.A. Brussels);
3. In 1311: Pieter de Pottere was a priest in Bruges (church
Saint Walburg registrar);
4. In 1320: Jacop Potterie was a “broker” in Bruges (Andries
van den Abeele);
5. In 1328: Gillis de Pottere was a “broker” in Bruges (Royal
Archives Bruges);
6. In 1392: Jacques de Pottere was a Scout of Bruges, who
negotiated a credit for the city with the City of Hamburg,
both meeting in Amsterdam (Guild Book of Bruges);
7. In 1468: Pierquin (Pieterkin) de Pottes, or de Potter, from
Ypres, a painter with the Entremets Company of Bruges;
8. In 1488: Berthelemeeus de Pottere was a “broker” in Bruges
(A. van den Abeele);
9. In 1525: Willem de Pottier, among families helping the
Potterye charity (De Hooghe)
10. In 1567: Jacques de Pottere, textile entrepreneur, son of
Loys (buyer in Bruges), religious rebel, moved from Renaix to
Bruges (Royal Archives of Renaix);
11. In 1572: Willem de Pottere, textile guild member, son of
Gilles, was born in Bruges;
56

12. In 1630: Robert de Pottere, head of the textile guild in
Bruges, married J. de Clercq;
13. In 1652: Philips de Pottere was a “broker” in Bruges (A. van
den Abeele);
14. In 1686: Remarquus de Pottere was a “broker” in Bruges
(A. van den Abeele);
15. In 1625: Robert de Pottere, son of Robert de Pottere, was a
“broker” in Bruges (id.);
16. In 1645: Vincent de Pottere was a “broker” in Bruges (A. van
den Abeele).
The compiled results are shown on the family chart (end of chapter)
and explained further down.
While we further seek the father of Jan, esquire of Keiem (Dixmude)
around 1325, of the family of Louis “Potter de Droogenwalle” (see
appertaining chapter), these individuals are other pertinent members
of the “green branch” in Bruges, seen at interesting dates:
57

Jacques de Pottere, 1392, Alderman of Bruges
Jacques de Pottere, 1525, son of Louis in Bruges
58
Robert de Pottere, 1630, Head of crafts Bruges

Around 1425, Pierrequin de Pottes, said de Potter, painter for the Duke
of Burgundy in Bruges, moved from Tournai to Bruges. In the same
period, the Lord of Gruuthuyse had married the grand-daughter of
Catherine de Pottere (Edward Gaillard, R.A.B. 1885).
She was first married to Allart count of Mortaigne, family of the Duke
and Lords of the city of Pottes. It may be the reason why the arms of
the family “Potter de Droogenwalle” (one pot) were carried over
from her. In the meantime, another coat of arms “Pottes” (three
roses) was found in Malines.
59

A little later, Louys de Pottier - de Pottere from Renaix, buyer in Bruges
in 1608, is the father of Barbella de Pottere, carrying the coat of arms
with three pots of silver color on a red array.
Their family in Brussels and Malines is mentioned as well, Jan and
Antoine, while Barbella and her cousins (Janneken, daughter of
Adriaen and Adriaen, son of Jacob) appeared in front of the High
Commissioner of the King of Spain, Antonio de Castillo in 1608.
Also in Antwerp, uncle Thomas de Pottere happens to be the
Receiver of the King of Spain in that period (1625)...
“… huwelicke hebbende Joncvrau Janneken de Pottere, f(ili)a Adriaens, woonende binnen der Stadt van
Bremen, metgaders van den Eer(weerden) Jacob de Pottere, Jans sone, woonende binnen der Stadt Staden.
De voorschreven Adriaen ende Jan wesende der voorschreven Gheerae(rt) broeders saligher, kinderen
van wijlen Jacob de Pottere, in sijnen (leven) resideerende binnen deser Stede, om sekeren onderrecht te wisen
van de oprechte wapen(en) van haerlieder ghestachte ende famillie va(n) de Potters. Dat hij comparant voorseyt
de maendt van September XVic acht is gheweest binnen der Stadt van Bru(ssel), (1608)”
“… ten huuse van d'heer Anthonio Fernandes de Castille, Com(m)issaris G(e)n(era)al van de monsterin
vanweghen der Conincklicke Ma(jestey)t van Spaignien in Vlaendren, in huwelicke hebbende de Pottere
alias Pottiers Loys, end den selven an hem comparant dat wijlen den voors(oemden) end Loys Pottier, in
tijt coopman, woonende binnen der Stede van Brugghe, sijns voors(eide) huusvvader, heeft ghehadt ende
hemlieden naghelaten voor wapene van 't voorseide gheslachte ofte familie van (de) Pottiers: 'eenen schilt
met een root velt, met eenen rooden kepere ende drie potten van silvere daer inne
staende'; toonende an den comparant het afbeeltsel van sijne voors huusvr neffens de welcke staet de selve
wapene, versaemt met ende neffens de gone van haren voorseiden man. De welcke hij comparant heeft aldaer
doen bettrecken op 't papier, ende is de …”
“… Loys Pottier, in sijnen tijt coopman, woonende binnen der Stede van Brugghe, sijns voors(eide)
huusv(auwe) vader, heeft ghehadt ende hemlieden naghelaten voor wapene van 't voorseide gheslachte ofte
familie van (de) Pottiers: 'eenen schilt met een root velt, met eenen rooden kepere ende drie potten van silvere
daer inne staende'; toonende an den comparant het afbeeltsel van sijne voors(eide) huusvr(auwe) neffens de
welcke staet de selve wapene, versaemt met ende neffens de gone van haren voorseiden man. De welcke hij
comparant heeft aldaer doen bettrecken op 't papier, ende is de gone an dese ghetransfixeert, gheteekent 'CP'.
Ende de gone noch mede ghetransfixeert gheteekent 'P.' verclaert hij comparant te hebben ... bettrocken tot
Ghendt, uut de wapene van de voorseide Joncvrau Baerbel Pottier, als wesende de gone van den gheslachte
van (de) Pottiers ende Pottiers alleene ende bijsonder hier toe weghende dat de wijlen Jacob de Pottere, vader
van de voorn(oemde) Adriaen, Jan ende Gheeraert de Pottere, met sijne naercommers”.
Extract of: “History of Ancient Brussels Families”, Brussels City Archives.
60

Karel and Lodewyck de Potter - Logghe
By Antoine de Schietere de Lophem and Paul De Clerck
Analyzing further the 1896 genealogy of the Bruges branch, made by
the Belgian Nobility Association mentioned above, we found another
research made by Robert Coppieters t'Wallant at the end of the same
century, analyzed by A. de Schietere de Lophem.
Here is an extract of a research by Antoine de Schietere de Lophem
found in the Royal Library of The Netherlands with reference to
Pieter de Potter, of the branch “de Potter-Logghe” from Tourhout.
He is mentioned as the “younger brother” of Jean-Guillaume, oldest
of that generation in the branch “de Potter de Droogenwalle” from
Dixmude and further down in Lophem and Bruges.
61

At the same time, Paul De Clerck, found his ancestors within our
“green branch”, in Tourhout! He found his great-grand-mother,
with official records, to this very “de Potter - Logghe”.
This confirms that it is definitely the same family as the “de Potter de
Droogenwalle” branch (see family chart, dark green line in
Tourhout). Some members of this bloodline, based in Antwerp,
Damme and Saint-Omer are called “Potters” after the revolution
name changes.
Sub-branch “de Potter - Logghe” was well known for the innovative
work by Charles (Karel) de Potter in the area of agricultural and
botanical research in Rumbeke. On top of his church duties, as a
gentleman farmer, Charles worked in cooperation with numerous
farms, including the ones of the family de Potter de Droogenwalle,
in Dixmude (Vladslo, Keyem, Leke).
Louis de Potter de Droogenwalle happened to be an active member
of the board of the Royal Horticultural and Botanical Society of
Ghent, in that half century, encouraging research in this field of
expertise, not only in Ghent but also with French counterparts.
Because of intensive contacts between the sub-branches “de Potter -
Logghe” and cousins ”de Droogenwalle”, in Roulers and Courtrai,
there was quite a mystery about the son of Karel, Lodewijk, teacher
and poet in the city of Rumbeke.
62

The Biekorf News of 1973 said that Karel Eugeen de Potter (Ardoye
1757 - Rumbeke 1834), was church carer (1782), wool worker (1799-
1802), teacher (1803-1817), and prizewinner of the Royal Ghent
Society for Horticulture (1819). His son Lodewijk (Rumbeke 1792 -
Gent 1869), was also teaching in Ghent.
He acquired some fame as a freelance writer, member of the literary
society and, for a short period of time, President of the Flemish
League. As a coincidence, we mention that, in the early twentieth
Century, the famous historian Frans de Potter also played a key role
in the Flemish self-determination movement (e.g. as co-founder of
the David Fund).
In 1787, Lodewijk of this literary society published a work signed:
“De Ter-Pot”! In 1803, the pseudonym pops up (“De-Ter-Pot”: Dirty
but useful) under a rhymed introduction to the collection of prizewinning
entries “Praise of Bonaparte” (J. Delbaere).
As a coincidence, we mention that his cousin Louis de Potter was
quite a celebrity across Europe. Also, in the early nineteenth century,
the son of Louis de Potter worked in the staff of Napoleon III. Both
had a considerable influence in the new “Belgian” politics. And
Lodewijk in Flemish translates Louis in French…!
63

With this literary work, we indeed recognized Lodewijk de Potter in
“De Ter-Pot” alias. Not only the apparent literary inversion pleads in
this sense, but also the “Napoleonic” career of the man who, since
February 1803, had encouraged delicate Bonaparte's themes in
Flanders.
Between the period immediately after the last years of Napoleon's
reign, there was a huge debate among the population about
Napoleon's heritage. Perhaps the aforementioned political
convictions of Karel E. de Potter may have worked on his son
Lodewijk, when in 1813, in the case of the Ghent priests against
Napoleonic bishop Dela Brue, as a defendant, Lodewijk finally
stopped writing and recognized the bischop. Most of the refusers
were then banned...!
On 15 Harvest 1782, because of superior agricultural merits, by
appointment of Courtrai-based Count Joseph of Murray, stepfather
of Count de Thiennes, Karel de Potter was appointed esquire of
Rumbeke, under privileges attached to his land property there and
church ruler. Shortly thereafter, Karel married Maria-Theresia Mulle,
prominent business family of the city of Winkel St Elooi; She was the
daughter of the Bailiff of Ter Vichten. The family de Thiennes owned
of the historic Castle of Rumbeke and were ancient friends of the
family de Potter.
64

During the annexation of our country to France, Karel de Potter, in
the year 6 of the Republic, was appointed City Officer of Rumbeke.
He was listed in the city register as 'wool dying craftsman and
negotiator' (profession of his cousin, castle of Ravenhof, Tourhout).
65

In 1819, because of his intensive personal horticultural research,
Karel was awarded an Honorary Prize by the city mayor Angillis,
member of the Dutch States General, founder of the literary society
'De Verenigde Vrienden' of Rumbeke and assistant to the “Annales
of Emulation of Bruges” where he often met Louis de Potter and his
father Guillaume before.
In 1819, following the “French republic tree of liberty pattern”, a
medal of agricultural merits was awarded to esquire Charles de Potter
- Logghe, by the Royal Society of Agriculture and Botanics of the city
of Ghent. At 2 o'clock in the afternoon the party was announced by
the sound of all the city bells and some artillery dumps.
Karel was placed in a big procession, preceded by all members the
Horticultural Society and the Hand Bow in full dress, with a beating
drum and deployed flags, walking up to the Municipal
Administration.
During the ceremony, the Burgomeister gave a speech demonstrating
the necessity and justice to render public honors to Mr de Potter by
the agriculture society.
In a poor countryside, the hard work honors a horticulture craftsman
who could provide a new form of inexhaustible source of public
prosperity and national wealth. In Flanders, where agriculture alone
can ensure the livelihood of the many people who live there, this was
a key element to be celebrated with everybody.
He then explained how, and with what happiness, Mr. de Potter first
sowed a special sort of foreign rice in homeland, obtaining great
results granted with this medal of honor and encouragement which
was awarded by the Society of Ghent.
66

After this speech which, despite its full extent, was heard in the
utmost silence, Mr de Potter was decorated with the medal, under the
unanimous and repeated applause of the many inhabitants.
Afterwards, Mr. de Potter was brought back to his residence by the
constituted authorities, preceded by the said brotherhood and
followed by an immense crowd of the people, by the principal streets
of the village.
Sufficient quantities of food for all inhabitants was paramount, after
those terrible Napoleonic wars and, from time to time and until 10
o'clock in the evening, the sound of the city bells and dumps
reminded the inhabitants of the solemnity of the day.
A ball at the common house, which lasted until 2 o'clock in the
morning, ended the celebrations. The minutes of this event had been
drawn up officially at Rumbeke on the same day.
67

Charles de Potter died, aged 54, in Rumbeke in 1834. He was buried
with a great service. His widow lived in Emelgem in 1847.
His brother François-Ambrosius de Potter accepted in 1783 the role
of “Doors Guardian of Roulers”, which made him member of the
Free State of Bruges, civility he possessed from his parents.
Of the fifteen children of Karel de Potter, there is certainly one who
has acquired a name in the Flemish world, namely Lodewyck, born
in Rumbeke in 1792
68

Lodewyck was the very first Rumbeek student at the small Seminar
of Roeselare. In 1812 he became teacher of poetry in the College of
Ypres. In 1818, he was professor at the Royal Atheneum of Ghent.
From 1836 to 1850, he was the Principal of that school.
In Ypres he was part of the “rhetoric chamber” of the city, and, under
the French regime, there had already been a struggle against official
propaganda carried out by the Government to disseminate the
French language in Flanders. He was a member of 'De Fonteyne' in
Ghent and Chairman of the Flemish Union for a while.
69

FRASNES
(Renaix, Pottes, Tournai, Ath, Dour, Mons, Liège, Namur…)
The top of this line was identified by Elisabeth de Potter d’Indoye -
de Merode, as early as the 14th century. Since we know that Louis
and Jacques moved to Bruges, as indicated by Father de Potter and
cousin Maes, we analyzed this line in greater details with the team.
Here is the tree of this so-called “Roman Branch” described as such
by Princess Elisabeth de Merode and Father Jacques de Potter. They
wrote that it should be studied further by other researchers to see if
it would be related to what we call the “green branch of Bruges”.
70

While Jehan “le Pottier”, his son Jan, his grand-son Lodewyck (lord of
Frasnes in 1350) and his great-grand-son Gilles (lord of Dour in 1463,
carrying lion arms) are described as inhabitants of Frasnes in the 14th
century, we know for a fact that their descendants moved to Renaix
as of the beginning of the 15th century. Cousin and cleck Louis Maes
ascertained that information.
Further below are two transcripts of a piece of the official “Archive
Maes” (cousin of Egidius de Potter and archivist of the city of
Renaix), explaining that Lodewyck de Pottier and his family were
confronted with religious banning, forced to move out of Renaix and
deciding to move to the promising Bruges, with the Flemish name
“Potter(e)”. That is precisely where the “green branch” was about to
blossom...
« Willem de Pottier, exploitait à Renaix le Pachtgoet et le moulin Terbeke. Il
remplit les fonctions de bourgmestre de 1434 à 1439 et de 1440 à 1447. En
1445, il avait loué son exploitation agricole à Mahieu Vogaert. Le 4 Avril
1408, il se présente devant le Magistrat en compagnie de son épouse, afin de
donner en arrentement, à Willem van der Meersch. Les recherches généalogiques
sont sujettes à surprises.
Celles-ci sont parfois agréables, mais souvent malencontreuses. Ici par exemple
nous *'avions tout lieu de croire que les le Pottier devenus citoyens de Renaix,
depuis un siècle, alliés à de vieilles familles locales, et occupant les postes des plus
en vue dans la direction des affaires, étaient définitivement acclimatés chez nous et
c'est précisément à ce moment qu'un chainon généalogique se brise. Les descendants
de Jan et de Willem de Pottier ont ils été pris de nostalgie et ont ils regagné la
région romane?
C’est à ce moment que les van Winghene descendent vers Renaix, pour continuer
peu après vers Tournai. Ou bien les de Pottier, tout désignés par leur situation en
vue, ont-ils suivi le Baron de Renaix, Jacques de la Hamaide, dans les multiples
expéditions auxquelles il prit part.
71

Quoiqu’il en soit les de Pottier se font rares à Renaix vers le milieu du XVème
siècle. Pourtant c’est vers cette date qu'il nous faudrait découvrir l'aïeul de Louis
de Pottere, père de Jacques qui est un descendant d'un de Pottier au dire de Louis
Maes. *** mettre en doute l’attestation de dernier.
Mais puisque Lodewyck de Potter porte un nom flamandisé, il faut admettre
que son aïeul, pour le moins, s'appelait encore de Pottier et que c’est à la suite du
séjour à Renaix d’une ou de deux générations que ses descendants prirent le nom
de De Pottere. Il résulte également de l'attestation de Louis Maes que les de
Pottier étaient originaires de Frasnes, village situé à *** bonnes lieux de Renaix
et entouré de collines argileuses qui fournissaient la matière première aux maitres
pottier de la région.
Ceux d’entre eux qui se fixèrent de façon définitive à Renaix finirent par s’appeler
de Pottere tout en gardant des relations de famille avec leurs parents de Frasnes.
Louis de Pottier, fixé à Bruges était, nous dit Louis Maes, originaire de
Frasnes et il descendait de la même branche souche que la branche Romane des de
Pottere de Renaux. Nous ne rencontrons qu'une seul de Pottier vers l’époque
indiquée, c’est un Willem qui se présente devant le Magistrat en 1455 et 1456.
Des raisons particulières le retenaient sans doute à Renaix. Nous le considérons
comme fils de Williem de Pottier de terbeke. Il est sur le point de se flamandiser,
son fils s’appellera *eindrick de Pottere (1469).
Celui-ci épouse une fille du terroir, Gilline de Calewier. Ils s‘installent dans le
pachtgoet tarlambeken. C’est là que nait Louis de Pottere, jeune encore il fait la
connaissance de sa voisine Anne Maelbranch, dont les parents occupent
Bruderode.
Cela finit naturellement par un mariage qui eut lieu vers 1510. Cette union
consomma l'alliance s'un le Pottier devenu de Pottere avec une Malebranche
devenue Maelbranck. Louis de Pottere et Anne Maelbranck coulèrent une
existence calme et tranquille dans la banlieue immédiate de Renaix.
72

Nous leurs connaissons trois enfants : Jacques, Hermès, et une fille, Marie, qui
épousa Jan de Clerc*. Jacques de Pottere naquit en 1522. Il se fit de bonne heure
preuve d’aptitudes commerciales et s’établit en ville afin de pouvoir mieux s’occuper
d’affaires. Il aurait épousé Elisabeth van den Bogaerdt, qui appartenait à une
honorable famille locale.
Nous devons avoue que nous n’avons pas trouvé trace de cette union. De 1563 à
1592, il remplit assez régulièrement les fonctions d'échevin et de bourgmestre.
Quelle que fut sa compagne, il laissa trois fils et une fille : Jean Catherine, Adrien,
et Gérard.
Son testament, dicté en 1592 par devant le Magistrat et dont une copie existe
dans nos archives, nous apprend certains détails des plus intéressants concernant
ses enfants, il contient des dispositions testamentaires que seuls les temps troubles
de cette époque que peuvent expliquer.
Jean de Potter, fils de Jacques, naquit vers 1553, il se maria vers 1577 à Anne
Myclot, fille de Jean et de Barbe van Wynghene, celle-ci était la sœur de Marie
van Wynghene, épouse d’Adrien van den Berghe dont la fille Catherine, avait
épousé Liévin de Pottere, *** dernier * avait encore * ***** devenu cousin par
allie*** de Jean de Pottere fils de Jacques. »
Apologies for this text long in French but it was instrumental in
our finding shared ancestors’ roots.
73

COURTRAI
(Alveringem, St Omer, Cassel, Poperinge, Furnes, Roulers)
Identified by Henri Brussin and others mentioned on the table, for
the period 1250-1550. Here are a few extracts of the archives which
did help us draw this branch. The top left one shows the list of
“Pointers” (aldermen, elected members) whereas Jacques de Pottere,
our Ghent ancestor, was one of the esquires of the city of Courtrai in
the 17th century, along with a cousin de Lannoy (his cousin too).
The top right document was found during our visit of the Archives
of Courtrai in 2015 and revealed the inheritance of the family of
cousin Paulus de Pottere, holder of a law licence, with ties to several
sub-branches indicated on the family table. The other archives show
records of Charles, Jacques and Pierre, with charges in Courtrai.
74

AUDENAERDE BRANCH
(Alost, Elseghem, Avelghem, Kerckhove...)
Identified by Denis and Fernand de Potter for the period 1650-2018.
Denis de Potter’s great-great-grandfather was Amand, born under the
name “Platteau” (means “tray”... From the house maid?) in 1807, will
only take the name "Potter" in 1832, upon specific approval by the
Revolutionary Government, under leadership of … Louis de Potter.
Denis still hopes that, with the help of Yvonne de Potter in the
U.S.A., someone will finally find why and how Amand's name
changed, from “Platteau” to “Potter”, and to tie him finally and
firmly to a branch of the Potter family tree. Meanwhile, Denis
continues to seek family members and recently found a “Plateau”.
Yet another branch? See DNA results below!
75

With the help of Patrick and Guillaume de Potter, the Leuven
genealogist and the ADN experts, we finally re-united us with the
Alost-Audenaerde line. We now included their most ancient ancestor,
Bernard-Antoine de Potter.
With the help of Sven de Potter, we then connected in the family
table the “natural child branch”, including their relatives Yvonne de
Potter (USA, aged 95), Denis (Lille), Patrick (Ghent) and Sven
(Antwerp)! Many thanks to Vincent and Peter-Frank de Potter too!
PFDP
VDP
SDP
SDP
DDP
HDP
FDP
JDP
NDP
Above DNA colors match the Families Forest table (see last page of the book)
76

DUTCH BRANCH
(Zeeland, Bergen-Op-Zoom, Breda, Delft, Utrecht, Amsterdam)
Fully identified by B. van Blokland of the High Society of
The Hague, for the period 1200-1850, even mentioning a very first
ancestor in 1093. He identified Maximiliaan de Pottere, as a lawyer at
the Court of Holland, son of Roeland de Pottere, Prelate and delegate
of the “Noble men of Zeeland” in Middelbourg, between 1543 and
1563, son of Jacob de Pottere who was member of the “Prelate and
Noble men of the County of Middelbourg” in 1529.
Maximiliaan was the father of Roeland de Pottere, jesuit, and of
Dominicus de Pottere, advisor and treasurer of the Prince Willem of
Orange. We also found their cousin Hendrik who was in 1578 a
captain in the Scottish naval force and resided in the House de
Pottere in Noordgouwe. Also, in 1897 W. Juten wrote in Taxandria
that there are several members of this family all carrying the three
roses as coat of arms, across border regions. He referred to the
families de Pottere in Bergen Op Zoom, Gastel, Zeeland and Den
Bosch, with ties in Courtrai and Ghent.
The family name “de Pottere”, with ancient Frasnes spelling, is only
carried by cousins Franz -Bruno, Alexander and Charly de Pottere
whose ancestors migrated to Prussia-Germany and then to the U.S.A.
André de Potter d’Indoye told us that those German cousins offered
a heritage to his father who refused as he had to carry the old spelling!
Franz married a member of the family Holstein Ledreborg - de
Luxemburg, thereby cousins of the Danish royal family, the Grand-
Duchy of Luxemburg’s family, the French Bourbon’s and the...
Dutch Nassau’s. Today, we seek further if this family pursued under
the name “Potterus” with similar arms, the three pots in triangle.
77

From this branch, Anna Regina Potters married Godefridus van
Lanschot. She was born in 1738 as eighth kid of Francis Potters,
buyer in Den Bosch, son of Johan de Pottere, son of Claudius de
Pottere, bailiff of Grombergen. A brother of Anna Regina was
Christian, carrying the same coat of arms, considered as member of
the same family.
In Bergen-Op-Zoom, the family de Pottere was in the port
authority in the 15 th , 16 th and 17 th centuries. Jan Baptist de Pottere,
born in 1626 in the castle of Grimhuysen (Oud-Gastel) and prior in
the abbey of Sevenborn in Halle, wrote in 1687 in a family book that
an esquire Jan de Pottere, living in 1293, was a noble man, of pleasant
and spiritual company (sic).
He also said that “his nobility came from his ancestors, a.o. Herman de Pottere,
made noble in 1093 by Godfrey of Bouillon”. Unfortunately, in 1397 and
again in 1444, Bergen-Op-Zoom was destroyed, leaving no records
of such amazing informations from the Abbey of Grimhuysen. In the
purple branch of the Netherlands, we include Thomas de Pottere
who was a tax-receiver of the King of Spain in the Low Countries
with his own secure medal receipt shown here below.
78

SAINT-NICOLAS BRANCH
(thanks to Christian, Serge, Vincent and Peter-Frank)
As early as the 13th century, this prolific line (Yseq DNA “ I1”) of
the families de Potter was mostly active in Saint-Nicolas.
They surely met the other Potter’s, occupying public responsibilities
close by like Antoine, Bailiff of Leuven in the 16 th century, Jan, Scout
of Brussels in the 17 th century or Pierre de Pottere, member of the
High Council of nearby city of Malines in the 18 th century.
The descendants of the famous historian Frans de Potter, member of
this line, Christian and his nephew Serge, helped us a lot to study this
branch.
Also, with the help of DNA expert Wim Penninx and Peter-Frank de
Potter in The Netherlands, plus biology doctor Vincent de Potter in
Tourhout, we pursued the “full Y-chromosome DNA-testing” for the ten
“de Potter” ‘s from various origins!
79

The discovery by Dr. Astrid Kahn of Yseq in Germany was excellent.
There is 100% assurance that Peter-Frank, Vincent and Serge belong
to this Saint-Nicolas line, therefore going as high as Berthelmeus de
Potter in 1400, including the famous historian Frans de Potter!
More discoveries by Yseq are shown on the global families timeline
table, whereas a “Full Y-chromosome” DNA testing did ascertain -
and re-connect - data found in official archives. The blue and green
branches were fully identified.
Now with the DNA’s, the beige one connects to the green one in a
segment of 3.000 to 5.000 years, which connects to the blue branch
in a segment of 7.000 to 10.000 years and finally the pink ones above
10.000 years.
80

This new 1.000 years genealogy research about “the Belgian families
de Potter” will never end but numerous additional records are now
available in our database, across lineages. This new form of diagram
offers a consistent view, in line with modern genealogy standards.
Across 20 years of research, no family complaint was received while
these results circulated a lot among its members and always published
on the internet. When a branch is interrupted by a missing link, we
placed “dotted red points” to show where we were blocked.
81

82

Potter Families
Millennium Forest
83

84

85

86

French Pottier ‘s
87

As informal French chapter, showing an interesting parallel across
the French border, we mention in Tournai the family “(le) Pottier de
Graincourt”, name derived in 1148 from “de Graincourt-Crevecoeur”,
owners of the castle of nearby Cambray, Senechal of Cambrai,
Lieutenant-general of Flanders.
Their name and blazon came from the tale of count Thierri of
Graincourt who brought back, with Count of Flanders, a famous
“pot” from Orient wars. The red branch “de Pottier” might derive
from them, in the very nearby powerful (12thC) city of Tournai.
88

As additional informal “French chapter documentation”, we mention
here that we came across the Bretagne family called “Potier” (le),
with sub-branches “de Courcy”. This family included esquires,
barons, counts and belonged to the restricted circle of “Pairs de
France” families, founding fathers of France in the 16th century.
A comprehensive genealogy was made by Samuel Potier de Courcy,
whereas members originated in “our” Somme region and others in
Bretagne. Below are representations of three members of the family
in the Museum of Arts of Chartres.
There is no evidence that they are related to the Belgian “le/ de
Pottier” but there is an alliance between the family de Courcy and...
the Lords of Mortaigne and Knights Pottes.
89

90

In this short French chapter related to the patronyms “Pottier,
Potier and Pothier”, here are the most figurative name bearers :
• Bernard Pottier (Paris, 1824), French president of the French
Academy of Fine Letters
• Emmanuel Pottier (Paris, 1864), French photographer
• Edmond Pottier (1855), French hellenist
• Édouard Pottier (1839), French military Admiral
• Eugène Pottier (Lille, 1816), French revolutionary and inventor of
international liberty song
• Gaston Pottier (1885), French painter
• Henri Pottier (1819), French theorician
• Paul Nicaise Pottier (1778), French engineer in Egypt
• Roland Victor Pottier (1775), French geographer in Egypt
• Aram J. Pothier (1854), French-American politician
• Alfred Potier (1840), French engineer and academician
• Charles-Gabriel Potier (1774), French theater actor
• Dominique Edgard Potier (Seraing, 1903), Belgian resistance
military tortured hero
• Julien Potier (1796), French artist
• Léon Auguste Potier (1876), French General
• Pierre-Jacques de Potier (Lille, 1780-1840), French General
• René Potier (Paris, 1750), French literary writer
• Nicolas IV (le) Potier, (La Rochelle, 1628), French nobleman,
secretary of state King Louis XIII
91

• Louis Potier, baron of Gesvres (1550), statesman and one of
the “Founding Fathers of France” x Baroness Baillet-Latour
• Antoine le Potier, son of Louis, Lord of the Seals (1585-1621),
statesman and one of the “Founding Fathers of France”
• René le Potier, (1579-1670), duke of Tresmes French and one
of the “Founding Fathers of France”
• Nicolas Potier de Novion (1618-1693), French statesman and
one of the “Founding Fathers of France” , Commander of
the Orders of the King, opponent to Cardinal Mazarin
92

• Henri le Potier de La Germondaye (1729), one of the “Founding
Fathers of France”
• Léon Potier de Gesvres (1656-1744) et Étienne-René Potier de
Gesvres (1697-1774)
• Charles-Ferdinand de Potier (1820-1898), French general
• Dom Joseph Pothier (Conques, 1835), French gregorian singer
• Divers Pottier dans la région Hauts-de-France et Marne
• Joseph POT(t)IER de la Houssaye (Saint-Malo, 1768-1830),
Corsair of the Revolution and the Empire, son in law of
Robert Surcouf, lord of Maisonneuve, was stationed with the
marine staff of Brest. He received from Surcouf, in 1804, the
command of "The Confidence" on which he made several
campaigns. Later, his company freighted several private
vessels defending France against the English. A century
earlier, the family Bart, also from the corsairs region, had ties
with the Pottiers, as we saw before, in Renaix.
Et enfin les nombreux Potter issus de la région de Potte,
établis dans la région de St Omer/ Dunkerque.
93

94

British Pottier ‘s
95

As United-Kingdom reference, we mention Adam de Potter, army
archer, married to Sibyl Heygham in 1278 in the Kent County.
Many “de Potter ‘s” are listed on British genealogy websites, active in
farming, crafts, industry and London politics. Some were “natives”,
some got on Roman invaders’ boats, others escaped continental wars
or revolutions, going onto the island for freedom. Some went there
to develop their business, as the Bruges branch did. Their name
however was often simplified by the customs office into “Potter”
instead of “de Potter”. They were often referred to as “from
Normandy”, after crossing the channel there.
96

Christopher Potter, member of the House of Commons in London,
even re-emigrated to Paris after losing an election in London... He
would have lost a “duel” against Lord Pitt but, in reality, he would
have been a... secret agent for the British government in Paris.
Lord North in 1778 described Potter as ‘a gentleman of business
manufacturing bread’. When he entered Parliament he defended the
Admiralty, promoting the true interests of the country. On 12
December 1782 he voted against the American war.
The Duke of Rutland, who had ‘old obligations’ towards Chris Potter,
supported him when the petition came to be tried; and John
Mortlock, Potter’s nominee on the committee which tried his
election, ‘engaged ... that Potter should always vote for Pitt’.
On 15 March 1785, after a so called “fight” he lost against his
godfather Lord Pitt, Chris Potter re-emigrated to France in 1791
where he presented a petition to the National Assembly begging a
patent for a new process of manufacturing pottery !
97

Chris Potter promised a quarter of his profits in public gifts and set
up his factory at Chantilly where he produced baked potteries,
painted with taste and elegance. It was said that he was worth more
than two millions of ancient money….
But in the meantime, he was also twice arrested by the revolutionary
committee... He was the supplier of many powerful families and,
today, there is no doubt anymore that he was a secret agent of the
British government, via Lord Pitt, with whom he had secretly
continued to be closely connected since the Revolution.
As stated in “Les Cahiers de Chantilly” (2016-2018), Potter was
arrested for conspiracy in 1793. Because of the support of the
minister of war, and other senior hidden supporters, the charges
against him were waved. He was nevertheless jailed until the fall of
Robespierre.
98

Pursuing the rebellion, in 1796 and 1797, as a close friend of viscount
Paul Barras, head of the Directoire regime, Potter was used as a gobetween
with the British Government to exchange British general
O’Hara against count of Rochambeau.
Also upon the proposal of Barras, Potter would also have played a
role in the liberation of the daughter of king Louis XVI and the
proposed the re-establishment of the monarchy in France.
In 1800 Potter was a first class medalist at the Paris industrial
exhibition and was meeting the whole Paris establishment. Between
1800 and 1801, Potter (almost aged 50) was asked by Bonaparte (aged
32) to help negotiate peace between France and England.
A Cambridge newspaper wrote that Potter was the “owner of the
Palace of the prince of Condé” in Chantilly, but he only had a royal
factory with 400 workers… Like Louis de Potter, in the same time
frame, he was paying the most renowned artists of the time up to
8.000 pounds per year…!
Gold imprinted ceramic pot marked “L.P.”...!
99

In 1797 it was assumed that he was protecting blue-collar royalists
inside his factory, printing secrets codes on dishes with flowers
meaning royal support etc. In those days, printing royalist emblems
on pots was risky business. One could get his head cut off…
He remained in France until 1814. His sons, Georges and Thomas,
rook over the ink printing ceramics. Betch & Lallemant bought the
neighboring house of Beaumarchais and pursued the gold printing
crafts. Potter died in England, 18 Nov. 1817.
His opportunities and abilities should have fixed him at the summit
of wealth, but he was too eccentric and speculative a rebel to hoard a
fortune.
100

Millennial Esquire values a Century Marquis
101

102

Dutch Potter ‘s
103

In Bergen-Op-Zoom, between Rotterdam and Antwerp, in the year
1100, Cornelis de Pottere was an esquire with Knight Godfrey of
Bouillon, lord of Lorraine, future King.
His son Geraert was an esquire with King Charles The Rash, marquis
of Antwerp. Not much later, their nephew Roelant, Jacob’s son,
studied in Bruges and was Prelate of Zeeland.
Zeeland and Breda: In 1600, Henricus, son of above Roelandt, was
admiral of a Dutch-Scottish fleet protecting trade in Zeeland and had
a big house in Noord Gouwe.
Amsterdam: Cousin Abraham, important textile trader, is a
descendant of the relatives from Renaix who escaped the bloody
duke of Alba, catholic inquisitor. He is portrayed here by the famous
Carl Fabritius with Helena and children.
104

105

106

Roeland de Potter
107

Born in Bruges in 1602, cousin
Roeland was a missionary in
Holland who came to Delft to serve
the congregation in 1621.
He was always willing to assist the
sick in their disease, baptize
children, and bless marriages.
He could stop people from
committing sins, help them to get
back on the right path and help
virtue take root.
That was his personal appeal and mission on earth in Holland.
He was so active that he did as much on his own as was normally
done by six priests. His missionary congregation proposed him as
Saint to the Pope!
He took care of families in Gravezande, Wateringen, Rijswijk,
Voorburg, Delft, Leidschendam, Zoetermeer, Akkersdijk, Papsou,
DenHoorn and many surroundings of The Hague.
At a point in time, Roeland and his Society were even threatened with
a huge fine of six hundred guilders for their work… He often had to
keep himself hidden, so that some people could not speak to him for
several weeks. It was then so risky for the fathers that he did not dare
to go out during the day. When he had to visit the sick, he put on a
dark skipper's jersey; so he went unseen in the dark of the night to
help people and remain unknown.
Roeland was going into the cities to help people at their home and at
night, always from one house to another. Once with Agata Sandelin,
108

then with Jan De Passer, or with Trijntje Willems, Sasbout van der
Dussen or Willem Aeriens.
He was once chased by the Bailiff while he was disguised with a cloth
merchant. It remained unknown how he could get away. I was told
that he laid a piece of cloth over his shoulders with a red apron from
a dry-shovel servant, and passed the guard of the Beguinage with the
help of Neeltje Jacobs, the sister of Father Duyst. He also managed
to escape disguised like a woman!
During official celebrations, it was always risky to help people.
Roeland was also hiding with Mr. Dassegny. Aafje van der Velde's
parents also helped him in trouble. He often preached at night and
early in the morning. In a difficult period, on an Ash Wednesday, he
gave the holy ashes for a hundred people who came and quickly went
away.
I don’t know how many sick people, suffering from the terrible
“black disease”, he helped but is was enormous. Roeland suffered as
well but always treated them kindly. He was not allowed to baptize,
not to marry or to administer the Holy Oliesel, but he did it.
It all happened well because of his modesty and the fact that he
showed himself the least possible. He even replaced other priests
while their hoirs had the plague! In Voorburg, for example, a whole
family died of 'the disease': 7 people. In another house an old woman
died of 'the black disease': she had been abandoned by all her friends.
A mass by Roeland was held at Wateringen for example. Many people
gathered, both at the butter farmer, and at the honey farmer. Those
were tragic times, but Roeland was never caught by a Bailiff nor the
sickness. In the Rietveld, during the great illness period, a man and a
woman received Roeland’s confession at night, just in time. The next
morning they were both dead.
109

In the Doelenstraat he helped three people during the great illness.
There were already two deaths in the house. The three others were
also dead the next morning. The father stayed in a house for more
than an hour, where the illness was raging. In the guest house 'In the
Armed Swan', two officials confiscated possessions and fulfilled their
duties.
Other persons were sick of the “Spanish smallpox”. Roeland stayed
with them. There was no cure for those people who had contracted
that disease through no fault of their own. In the Kloksteeg a family
was assisted at night; also in the Giststeeg and also in the Poppesteeg.
A woman of eighty years in the Begijnesteeg, who had not confessed
for 60 years, was helped at night by Roeland. Another old man was
helped to fulfill his ecclesiastical obligations. They had asked for a
priest at the Begijnhof, but they refused to come. It was too risky.
Roeland was in Zoetermeer with Joost Scheepmaker, and kept a
church there during the risky time. An attorney had come to live in
the region and had not noticed that the disease was there. The priest
stood by him unconcernedly when he became ill. The man died a day
or two after that. A daughter of that prosecutor became ill three days
later. The priest helped the whole family; they all had the plague; he
was there for two or three hours, with danger for his own life.
110

It was hard, when back to Delft in the winter, staying one and a half
hours outside the city, straight against the wind with heavy snow.
Roeland said: "You are not in need. Those snowflakes are not stones;
the snow melts, "the priest said. "The stones stuck harder!" Roeland
was as cheerful as a perfect man. Always positive and fighting.
The following year, in Voorburg, It was again cold and risky. He held
a mass there with the blind widow of Jasper Jacobs. That night he
had eighty communions. He then held another mass at the same time
with three hundred people; over a hundred communions, and all that
with bread baskets for the poor people! The next morning, he had to leave
again and bring the corporal with the consecrated hosts to Mr.
Stalpaert. He held the next mass south of The Hague.
When Roeland was there, they did not want him to perform pastoral
duties. That is why he had to bring the corporal with the holy, blessed
sacrament to pastor Stalpaert. And the priest said: "Shall we continue
to listen to the sermon?" Roeland proposed to do “as people wanted"
but himself was never in doubt whether he would leave or stay.
The tax people from The Hague were often there and the meeting
was then caught, and all the names were written down. Mr. Stalpaert
was put in farmer's clothes between the farmers so that he would not
be recognized. Roeland had foreseen all these things and could have
all people escape and be protected from all sorts of disasters.
In the middle of the winter a big meeting was held at night, with about
five hundred people, and certainly more than a hundred confessions.
It lasted until four o'clock at night, but around three o'clock Roeland
left. It was so dark that he did not know where he was, he had no
light at the Leidse Dam. He was in danger of drowning. He had no
fear to run such dangers for his folks.
111

Again, in the middle of the winter, Roeland went to Rhoon to talk
about a few works of art. It was about some ornaments that would
be made for the church. It was bad weather at night: During the day
it had snowed and frozen, and in the afternoon it had thawed. When
Roeland left, it was so bad that he did not know how to get over the
Maas in Schiedam. It became so dark that he was in danger of having
an accident before we had reached the bridge.
Once in Schiedam, he did not know how to get to Overschie in
darkness. It had frozen again that night. Roeland hired a barge to
Overschie. Between Schiedam and Overschie the barge creaked
through the ice, it seemed as if it would run to the ground. When he
arrived in Overschie, he was wet and stiff with cold; this is how he
waited for the last barge of Rotterdam. That's how he arrived in Delft
at nine o'clock in the evening.
These conditions and dangers were his everyday life…! In the middle
of the winter, Roeland was taken to a sick person in the country of
Den Briel, endangering his own life. The Brielse Gat was frozen and
he did not know if the ice would hold. But the venerable man went
there alone across it to his folks.
112

During the great mortal plague, Roeland stayed with Miss Anna
Sandelin. The lady noticed how much Roeland’s support helped the
ill persons. She was so angry about her situation but "Father Roeland
was coming” and they were not so scared of the illness anymore.
Roeland was with so many sick people. I have no idea how many,
there were so many! And when he came home from helping the sick
at night, my wife took a bucket of water. We put it in the middle of
the room. In the morning there was a thick ice membrane on the
bucket of water.
In the houses where he came, there was always a fire. Then he held
his cloak before it. That is very good against the disease. And the lord
saved him. Roeland was equally cordial and willing for all the sick
across the years. He had a catalog of all the streets of the whole city.
He was equally concerned for maids and servants or rich persons. He
was so worried to help the people that I cannot describe it with a pen!
He never asked: "Who is it?" He went straight to the child, when he
knew in which house he was, for him to be baptized. If someone
asked for Roeland ‘s proposed spiritual things that affected the souls,
Roeland said all the things that suffering person needed to know
without delay.
Father Makeblijde organized the school for Maria Bartolomeus. She
was a good sister, along with another sister named Anna Jans.
Because Anna was less appreciated than Maria, Father Makeblijde put
the school in the name of Anna Jans, in case the Sheriff or the
Magistrates would do something against the school, at unfavorable
moments.
Roeland then became a guardian of the school. He and Marie worked
conscientiously. They did everything for the school with accuracy.
113

When the times were evil and dangerous, Roeland would still hold a
mass on the Begijnhof in the evening, with Neeltje Jacobs Duyst. It
was already dark. I would be on the lookout to see if there was no
danger.
He would start the sermon when the Bailiff's officer came to ask if
missionaries had a meeting somewhere in the Begijnhof. I said,
"Young man, you are wrong. Where is that meeting supposed to be?"
The officers of the Bailiff then came back with four large dogs, and
believed they could then catch Roeland. But the birds were our
friends and the priests themselves were on good terms with the
sheriff.
That is how he passed through difficult times. Although his mother
lived at the Begijnhof, he did not dare to stay with her. He went to
help Grietgen Huijbrechts. He assisted her in illness and made her
comply with ecclesiastical obligations. There was a wanderer in the
yard who heard Father Roeland address her warmly and with
comforting words, as you do to a sick person.
In those evil times, Roeland once held mass at Arien Flooren in
Voorburg at night behind the village. There was a great meeting. But
the dogs barked so loudly that Father feared that the barking would
be heard in the village. Father called me to him and asked: "Let the
householder put those dogs somewhere they would not attract the
Bailiff’s police”.
During Easter, he held a mass in Voorburg with Job Jacobs. And the
agents of the chief came to look for Easter eggs. And they feared that
they actually came to do an invasion. Roeland did not know where to
hide, there was so much commotion around the house. But the agents
disappeared when they had the Easter eggs. They were hungry too!
Roeland held a meeting at night in Voorburg, at Jan Leeuwen’s
church. There was such a big storm with heavy rain and wind that
114

evening that it seemed like winter. No weather to go there. De Pottere
had to do the work in those evil times, bring all things along: chalice,
ampoules, mass bread, wax candles, candlesticks, even the wine for
the sacred service we had to bring with us.
That was how concerned he was. On and on, he visited the Gasthuis
hospital and the old people's homes. Disguised, he visited sick
persons at home and organized secret public masses.
When Roeland left Delft, he said to me: "Here you have two bags of
money. All in all, twelve hundred guilders; six hundred in each bag.
"One bag I brought to Mr. D. in the Begijnhof, and the other bag of
six hundred guilders I brought to Mr. W. at the Begijnhof. There you
can see if the father has exercised charity. Such a person was Roeland
de Pottere.
All of that was so risky and Roeland had to find ways to achieve his
mission. He would take a pump on his shoulders and discretely enter
the Gasthuis; then he spoke to the sick person as if he were a
pumpmaker, and as if the sick person was his friend. And so he had
the sick person meet his ecclesiastical obligations in the Hospital !
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At other times, he would carry a sheet of skin, as a paint shearer who
makes a sheet! In this way he has allowed sick people to fulfill their
ecclesiastical obligations, and assisted them in their distress.
Roeland has been so concerned and responsible that, to his
knowledge, no human being should ever die without spiritual help.
For example, he has repeatedly put himself at risk and assisted the
entire poor and ill inhabitants of the whole city of Delft. They
sometimes thought he had the plague too… But the ill missionary did
not die; he recovered from his cold again.
He even had a sick person meet his church obligations inside a
Mayor's home, not the best friend of the missionaries. The Mayor
warmly opened his house to him. The sick person was a servant of
the Mayor and lay in the back of the garden.
I was also visiting the sick person, upon the orders of Roeland. Father
has done all such things in Delft. He never allowed himself to be
misled, but, on the contrary, always tried his best not to let anyone
die without help.
When the French had committed their crimes of murder in Tienen,
and plundered the people of the prince, fugitives were cut off from
their retreat. They could not return to France as they intended. Many
French who lost themselves came to Holland on foot or on
horseback to beg.
There were sick soldiers everywhere; among them were many
Catholic French. In the inn at the Haagpoort, Father asked if they
wanted to confess. The Frenchmen who were sick, said yes. Roeland
went straight there. Reportedly they had an army disease.
Paternally, Roeland helped them completely, had them fulfill their
ecclesiastical obligations, gave them the Holy Oilsel and assisted them
very kindly. Father confessed the Frenchmen because of what they
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had done to the Holy Church. I heard that they said to Father in
French, "But, sir, we did not know at all the things that we were going
to do to the Church."
Left alone by their “monkey war” generals, French soldiers invading
the Spanish Netherlands, visited Roeland de Potter. They were sick
on their horses…! Some of them were even attached onto the poor
animals. Others had died on the way, carrying sicknesses to Holland
and Brabant. They would never have reached Rotterdam, if Roeland
had not been charitable to them…!
Roeland always wanted to administer the sacraments in time. He did
not make a distinction between soldier or peasant, rich or poor. Only
kids came first served.
He was always concerned about whether someone was ill, or whether
a child should be baptized or if he could have someone fulfill his
church duties. Even though those people were uninterested, he
walked there, without first having to be called.
Towards the end, Roeland had a serious illness, when the big plague
was over. He was sick with Agata Sandelingh near him. I took care of
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him fourteen days and nights. Thank God he recovered from that
illness.
Once he was healed, Roeland went to work again day and night,
sometimes by giving catechesis and then teaching the youth again. In
Voorburg, he almost went from door to door to teach the children,
and the adults there. Such a pure soul has been this father.
But for all those virtues he was very well seen among the people. He
was equally friendly to all, whether they came to confess to him or go
to another priest, he was always friendly. He was also wise and
cautious, in all his behavior, and practical in respecting the household
companions.
He loved each one equally. That was right in heart. He tried not to
interfere or quarrel with anyone. He went against rich people as hard
as against poor, when they had done something wrong. He never left
anyone without help.
Roeland then became seriously ill again. After all this enormous work,
he had caught a major illness at the home of Mr. Van der Velde. The
doctors had already given him up.
Roelandt de Pottere, pure heart, medicine man, silently passed away
in Delft on April 13, 1675.
Until today, no-one described his virtues like life companion did here,
in a diary held by priest Paul Begheyn and priest A. van den Akker.
He was forgotten for always, except by you today!
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Agreement dated 1563 between the Spanish King’s representative, prince
Willem of Orange Nassau and the Zeeland authority represented by Roelandt
de Pottere(father).
In 1620, cousin Dominique de Pottre was buried in the cathedral of
Breda, he had been an advisor-treasurer of... the prince Philippe of
Orange.
The middle coat of arms, with the 10 stones from an allied family
(van der Steene) is also found in the same period in the steering
committee of the Hospital de Potterye in Bruges, built with ancient
support of the bishop of Tournai-Liège who had dispatched Créstien
de Potterie there when the ancient hospital started.
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Amsterdam: Poetry writer Dirc left Courtrai to The Hague. Writer
Pierre and his son Paulus (de) Potter (Museum for Fine Arts). His
father was made noble man for his work for the family of Orange.
Paul died at 26 but produced over 100 paintings of landscapes!
“Huis de Pottere”, Noord-Gouwe, Zeeland. The family archives of
this branch mention Renaix as origin. Part of this branch, which was
managing a division of the big Oost India Company, moved to the
Northern harbours in Germany where they we active in the import
of table dishes.
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“Castle de Pottere”, Middelbourg, Zeeland.

Potter’s castle and coat of arms, 1748, Zeeland.
Potter van der Loo (unlisted linked to Brussels branch of Jan)
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122

Jan de Potter
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As indicated in the origins of the family in Renaix, the brave Liévin
de Pottere was assassinated by the blood-thirsty Duke of Alba around
1520, because of his personal beliefs.
He was a protestant. Only a few lines were written in the “Chronicle
of Flanders” (Royal Archives of Bruges, 1878), in the context of the
killing, by the Church’s Inquisitor, of MM. van Coppenolle,
t’Sersanders, Egmont, Hoorn and other protesting personalities.
Here are details, with the help of the well-known “Daily Diary Logbook”
of cousin Jan de Potter, Brussels city representative.
The analysis will be pursued in the chapter about Louis de Potter,
author of “The History of the Church” offered to Stendhal, that
“Louis’ family was the victim of the terrible persecutions of the horrible Vatican
Church inquisitor, the Duke of Alba”.
Jan’s father, Antoine de Potter was found by: the Leuven expert,
Jacques de Potter, Eric Devos, Antoine Maes and Oscar Delghust.
He is “the cousin of Liévin de Potter who left Renaix at the times of
persecutions”.
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Antoine de Potter, head of Brussels guild with his medals,
caldron pots casts chiseling of the Nations (Ommegang
crafts), with his coat of arms engraved on the pot (right).
Artwork of Antoine de Potter, father of Jan, exhibited in
the Castle of Laarne (Ghent), son of Jan, Gerard, had a
daughter who married Gerard d’Udekem
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Fernand de Potter, and his French partner Françoise de Casaubon,
committed a research made by the Leuven expert.
With our guidance, while seeking after the famous chronicle writer
Jan de Potter, he found evidence of the complete match with the
“blue lineage” up to Jan de Potter, and even before (“Who is Who in
the Late Middle-Ages”, Royal Archives).
Also, in his Diary of 1550-1575, Jan de Potter designates Anthonis as
his father, who was, like cousin Liévin in Renaix, victim of the
persecutions by the awful Duke of Alba, inquisitor of the church.
Although we have no register’s reference, based on this accurate
testimony, with now three entries, we consider Jan’s father as the
great silverware manufacturer in Brussels, who originated in Renaix.
His branch occupied elected positions in Brabant and carried the
three pots (caldrons) before switching to the crescent and stars.
We found that his brother Philippe had inherited a brewery in
Antwerp before 1567 and his cousin Mathew had acquired a soap
factory, also in Antwerp, in 1598, while another cousin Peter Antoine
was member of the Council of Malines in 1620.
As stated in the “Who was Who in Brussels in the 14th Century”, Jan’s
family was at the head of the “Arts and Crafts guild” of
Brussels. Their metal work profession entitled them, and the whole
family today, to be included in the “Ommegang Silversmiths Guild”
and in the “Brussels City Nations”.
The detailed genealogy of this new family line is available at the Royal
Archives in Brussels, as well as in the online list of marriages de Potter
(1400-1600) of the Royal Genealogy Heraldic Office.
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Ancient Families of Brussels, Brussels City Archives
Façade of the Brussels City Hall
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128
Yet another alliance UDEKEM X POTTER

DIARY OF JAN DE POTTER 1550-1620
Chronicle writer, Jan de Potter (pen name “Pottre”) seems to
represent a real patriot of the ancient times in our cities. People had
respect for any citizen keeping such day-to-day records.
Jan was a good Catholic but admired the novelties proposed by the
Reformation, contradicting both Kings Philips II and William the
Silent. He was born in Brussels in 1525 as son of Anthonius de Potter
and Margaretha van Assche. He became a wealthy citizen who
worked in the urban administration of the city. He was a man with
limited acquaintances, simple but of a righteous and virtuous nature.
His parents were merchants and shortly after the death of his father
in 1549 Jan took the same role as him in the City Council. He did this
until 1557 and then moved into a house on the Cheese Market.
On 30.11.1549 he married Magdalena Trijsens, of whom he had 5
children. The eldest son, Henneke, later became a priest, called Jan as
well. Another son Pauwel (1552) studied law in Leuven. Jan (father)
had 2 sisters: 1. Lijsken (she married 4 days before Jan married
Magdalena) on 26.11.1549 and 2. Margaretha, who was nun in the
monastery of Jericho in Brussels and who died there in 1553.
In 1558 Jan became “charitable man of the poor” in the St. Nicholas
Church near the Grand ‘Place of Brussels, and stayed in the ministry
for 2 years. In 1564 he was a merchant again and we now find him in
the Mercers craftsmen guild.
In 1570, he sold his house to escape persecutions and excessive
demands of the soldiers who were staying with him and robbed and
tormented him in every way. He then moved to the guild of charcoal
masters, who, as a Canon of St. Goedele, was probably free of such
lodgings. He stayed with them for over a year. On 26.06.1576 Jan
then became counselor of the City of Brussels.
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When the Calvinists became leaders of the State around 1580, all
Roman religious exercises were forbidden. The mass was secretly
read at the home of the Potter on the Cheese Market, which exposed
Jan's family to the greatest dangers… Jan de Potter was one of those
who saw the fatherland on the edge of the abyss, when they signed
the request of reconciliation with King Philip against Calvinists. As a
result, he was badly hit by the new taxes, as the new government in
Brussels alleviated them to punish us for the loyalty.
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In 1555, king Philip took the oath of Brabant and the emperor, his
father, gave him the power. It had been a wet summer, so people did
not get wood from the forests and the prices were high. Everything
was very expensive, butter costed 2 schillings per pound and eggs 40
sch. and the wheat 22 sch. because there was another war going on
with the French.
In 1556 everything was even more expensive. On 10.09, Jan’s son,
Peter, was born. May 1557, wheat and corn increased and made the
bread very expensive.
Jan de Potter on the façade of the Brussels City Hall
In 1557 the city of Saint Quintens was forcefully conquered and the
Admiral of Sea, was captured. On 18.09.1557 Jan’s brother, Philips,
died, he was about 12 years old. In 1558 Jan bought the house at the
cheese market and his son Anthonius was born on 05.12.1558.
In that year, many great princes and princesses died, such as the
Emperor and his 2 sisters, the Queen of France, the King of England,
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the wife of our King Philip, the King of Portugal and the wife Marie,
governess and sister of the emperor.
In 1559 peace was proclaimed and we got back all the cities that we
had lost and the French had their own cities again. And our king
married the daughter of the French king who died as a result of a
jousting! On 11.08.1559 my father-in-law, master Jan Trijsens died.
The king traveled to Spain and made his bastard sister, Duchess of
Parma, Govern the country. In 1559, Jan was named Caretaker in St.
Claes church with Bouwens. I then joined the Kramers Crafts Guild.
In 1560 Jan renewed his laundry house and his son Henneken, laid
the 1st stone. They made a living room, kitchen and room upstairs
and Pauwels, my other son then also laid the 1st stone. The wash
house and the stool, kitchen and the iron loam at the dining room
cost all together 6c 11 gld. In that year, they worked at the foundation
of the new city hall of Antwerp.
In 1561 the first ships arrived, those of Antwerp and Zierikzee and
Alkmaar and Vilvoorde. In 1562 the Emperor of Rome was crowned.
His parent Don Fernandus was established in Frankfurt and his son
Maximilian, was crowned King of Rome. In the year 1564 there was
a very large cold and frost for 18 days.
It started eight days before Christmas and it was said that in 50 years
it had never been so cold. There was a lot of snow. Occasionally a
slight thaw, but it continued for 9 weeks. There were no more ships
to sail.
After 1581, the citizen did not hear much from Jan. He died
09.10.1601, aged 76 years… The manuscript of the Potter's diary rests
in the Royal Library in Brussels, in the collections of the Manuscripts,
numbered 15885. Anthonius his 3rd son, continued the diary until
03.08.1602.
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Sorry for so much text in ancient Dutch but we translated it
and discovered that it’s the instrument to unite our families!
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This Diary of Jan de Potter was quite an act of bravery because the
States General and the Archduke were powerless while citizens were
starving again... Flanders and Brabant did not take side between the
Catholic alliance of the South and the Calvinist alliance of the
North.
Also, uncle Liévin de Potter plus the counts of Egmont and Horne
got their head cut off in 1568 and fear was still present everywhere
in the region.
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Almost all narrative sources, both Protestant and Catholic, show the
animosity of the artisans (metal engravers such as Jan’s father) and
the common people against the alderman oligarchies.
The aversion to the ordinary man against the magisterial group is a
tradition deeply rooted since King Charles The Fifth.
Reporter Jan de Potter could not forgive the aldermen such rude a
conduct towards citizens in Brussels. Here are more extracts of his
diary:
“Political indecision culminated at the beginning of 1570 when the
States-General exhorted Utrecht about the great difficulties that arose
for the "common homeland", from the fact that these local
authorities no longer sent any delegates to the meeting in Antwerp.”
Almost all remonstrance of states and cities demand measures against
the crimes of the Spanish soldiers. Jan de Potter said that the thefts
and the bullying by the Spanish soldiers stationed with him in
Brussels were legion.
There is no doubt that, under Alva, the immense aversion to the
presence of the Spanish troops (the army of the “legal prince”!)
caused a “widespread awareness”.
Citizens felt more and more became like a form of foreign
domination in their free countries. Jan de Potter depicts the aldermen
and their daughters, who celebrated with Spaniards in February 1572
in Brussels, as a kind of "collaborators of the enemy"...
Protestantism had taken away the power of the States everywhere,
handing it over to the people's government of the cities. Brussels and
Antwerp adapted to Ghent's example.
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In Brussels, where the patriots have been so powerful since 1575, the
majority of the population remains Catholic.
To avoid being exposed to such a danger, five squadrons of Scots
were recruited by the bourgeoisie and a Military Council was set up,
which, with the help of the soldiers, seized the government of the
congregation and began to prosecute the Catholics...
Citizen had to comply and be “pleased” with the military and
demagogic system that, contrary to the old privileges, now reserves
all ministries to the Calvinists.
The number of Protestants and Catholics was almost balanced in
Brussels, but city leaders, as convinced Orangists, did not want the
city to reconcile with the king, despite the wish of the Calvinists...
As early as June 1579, the priests on the street no longer dared to
circulate, no longer accompany the funerals, etc. The “religious
peace” was replaced by the exclusive practice of the radical
Reformation...
At that time, everywhere in the houses, in town and on the farms in
the countryside, people began to celebrate masses, sometimes
preaching sermons at home. The whole day long, the bells were
sounding loud, as a custom.
People were astonished that the Duke of Alba did forbid to celebrate
masses, at home… Forbidden to practice the last sacraments at home
for a dying person!? For the Spanish Catholics, under the Duke of
Alba, imagine all the changes that people had to face...
For example, instead of celebrating Christmas Day on the 25th of
December according to ancient custom, the Duke forced Christmas
to be celebrated on the 15th of December. In case of refusal it was
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very seriously sanctioned by the Court of Justice of Brabant. These
changes were applied suddenly everywhere by the Duke of Alba.
Any unhappy person was told that these changes were imposed by
Rome. All these were published, just one day before, while it took at
least seven days for people to prepare Christmas celebration (e.g.
brewing Christmas beer, cleaning the premises, etc.).
On June 23, the city of Harlem fell into the hands of the troops of
Don Frederico, son of the Duke of Alva, after an 8-month siege. His
men killed all foreign soldiers, as they did with many prominent
“bourgeois”, plus French and English soldiers who came to fight in
Brussels and Malines.
Some bourgeois, faithful to the Prince of Orange got their head cut
off, or, were thrown alive into the water with tied hands and feet,
despite having surrendered for lack of food.
The city of Haarlem having fallen, the Spanish troops of the Duke of
Alba forced inhabitants to pay ransoms and reveal the names faithful
of the Prince of Orange, who gave shelter to rebels.
The duke therefore decided to celebrate his victory noisily.
Incidentally, even by triumph, he removed his Italian and Spanish
officers from the procession that accompanied him through the city,
to be followed only by the conciliatory nobility, the Chimay's, the
Egmond's, the Aremberg's, the Mansfeld's, etc.!
The maritime city of Flessinghes-Vlissingen, which became
Calvinistic, close to the Scheldt, was soon decorated with triumphal
arches, colored columns, banners and emblems!
How can we understand and accept such cruel a behavior of the Duke
of Alva, and his son, imposing his revenge on everyone with such a
heavy reign of lies and terror, aimed at completely annihilating the
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rebellion! Especially in towns where the Emperor Charles V was
always received and celebrated with the highest honors. They should
have stayed in Spain!
Nevertheless, the day of the Ommegang festival was all beautifully
prepared, Don Juan, unlike the Duke of Alva, came to the Brussels
City Hall to take part in the commemorations and stayed for the
banquet while feasting with the Great Sirs (Magistrates of the city,
Notables etc.) and their Ladies.
Don Juan liked to maintain the old customs of Brussels as well as for
his love of tradition he was named "King of the Spruce"
(Tournament and jousting) in Leuven. He also sent the best wines in
thanks to the officials of the city.
The prince of Orange could conquer the city of Bergen-op-Zoom
with great subtility, on a Friday whereas the doors were open,
entering the city with hundreds of horses and pedestrian soldiers
without anyone being aware of it…
Letting also chariots come in at night, until the next morning,
capturing the whole city with great subtility, without any injured nor
dead person!
At the same time, he captured other cities with mercenaries, having
expelled the French in less than eight days as people said that his army
strong was, with hundreds of soldiers, while citizen were joining the
new leader otherwise they were being killed with the French soldiers
as well…
Thereafter, any citizen staying in town, who did not need to stay,
would suffer great destruction to his possessions if the Spaniards
were not recognized as their new masters.
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In the meantime, the Duke had gathered in Bergen-op-Zoom more
than a ton of gold, obtaining thereby forced cooperation of all the
other lords such as lord of Berleymont, lord Nockerme, Vigilius…
A big advantage for the Duke since the city was so powerful, with
boat access deep inside the land, such as count Louis quite a treasure
had there with this situation.
With all other treasures and tapestries, the Duke had made this
bastion even stronger, obtaining allegiance of the inhabitants, not
leaving them a moment of free time.
Numerous boats came from Portugal in Flessingue, putting again
pressure up to Antwerp, in spite of forbidden maritime presence by
the crual Duke, at the time of the visit of the Duke of Medina Sidona.
In August, a French Admiral shot with a gun in his arm, while reading
a letter at his window… It was at the time that the King of France
was passing by with the Duke of Guise in the house of the Admiral.
This made the King believe in a temptative murder and caused a
whole investigation and punishment story for the said Admiral as well
as the Hugenots troops...
Both Dukes, of Alba and of Medina, went to Mons in Hainaut with
their armies to demonstrate their power to the Hugenots.
On September 21st the city of Mons gave up under the army of the
Duke of Alba without any fights since the city authorities preferred
peaceful talks and the French, who believed they were home, and
their Admiral was dead, let the other troops enter in Mons.
All was done as if the French count Louis would retire from this place
without the inhabitants rejecting the new invaders, thereby giving
access up to Roermond in Gelderland because the brother of the
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Prince (of Orange) had recaptured that city, freeing the previously
invaded soldiers!
The duke then came to Malines, bringing again terror to local
peaceful inhabitants, raping and steeling their animals and doing all
kinds of other bad things.
That year, the procession of the Ommegang was the saddest ever.
The Duke of Alba was invited in the City Hall but did not want to
accept the meal offered to him. He only wanted to see the procession
but had in fact little or no feeling for it.
That year, the Duke of Alba, the great tyran, finally left Brussels and
returned to Spain with his son Dom Frederic, as good as his father,
during six years and three and half month such bad a governor was
in our region.
Also, all our aldermen left to go to Bergen-Op-Zoom to celebrate the
departure of the Spaniards from Middelbourg too. The next year, the
Ommegang procession was very nice to see again. Dom Jan, His
Highness, came to the City Hall and stayed for the table food
celebrations with many high-ranked personalities.
Count of Egmont, son of the one who was killed by the Duke, and
count of Arenberg, participated in the golden collar celebrations.
Dom Jan was made King of the Golden Collar of Louvain.
The next month, came the King of Navarre from France to meet
Dom Jan who offered a large banquets to him and all Brussels
personalities. It was a great success and the visit in Leuven was also
quite a great moment.
In August, we all went to Antwerp to destroy with great pleasure the
castle built by the Duke of Alba. It was demolished with the
agreement of the Grand Council and the City Hall.
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Longest look in the past, furthest foreseeing the future. Churchill
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