Drapery Court of Brussels

The Drapery Court (French: Gilde Drapière[1] or Tribunal de la Draperie, Dutch: Lakengilde)[2] also called the Chamber of Commerce in the eighteenth century, was one of the oldest and most influential institutions of the City of Brussels during the Ancien Régime and was abolished during the French occupation of Brussels.The Gilde was led by two judges called Deans (French: Doyens)[4] who were assisted by eight assessors called The Eight (French: les Huit, Dutch: De Acht, ) or the Octovirs.During the Angevin regime, the Deans and The Eight were appointed intendants and aldermen of the chamber of commerce.In the fifteenth century the Court named three valets to seal the sheets of the cloths whose quality it controlled, as well as two receivers, five controllers and a cloth sealer on of the ones on sale on the Grand-Place at the Halle aux Pains.[6] Content in this edit is translated from the existing French Wikipedia article at fr:Gilde drapière de Bruxelles; see its history for attribution.
The Secretary, the two Deans and "The Eight" of the Drapery Court in 1699. Painting by Jean van Orley .
Roll of arms of members of the Drapery Court. (1713–1724) [ 1 ]
Gilles van Hamme, admitted to the House of Roodenbeke in 1376, alderman in 1389 and 1399, Dean of the Drapery Court in 1378 and 1392.
Jean van OrleyRoll of armsFrenchChamber of CommerceCity of BrusselsAncien RégimeFrench occupation of Brussels.House of Roodenbekejudicial courtAngevinaldermenSeven Noble Houses of BrusselsGuildsGrand-PlaceDrapers' GuildNoble HousesGuilds of BrusselsBourgeois of BrusselsList of Mayors of the City of Brussels