previous 2.4.The "Vrijbos"
The forest that used for the largest part to be part of Klerken, was administratively divided in two parts: the northern part (with Klerken) was under guidance of the count of Flanders, the southern part was owned by the abbey of Corbie. In 1559 the south was sold to the lord of Grevenbrouck,

but thanks to the dukes Albrecht and Isabella the whole forest became royal domain. In 1678 the forest did go to Louis XIV, the "roi soleil" . Under the guidance of France(1794-1814) the "Vrijbos" was notorious for the many robbers gangs who lived there. One of the most notorious ones (there's even a comic series!); Baekeland, a deserter of the French republican army lived here with 50 others. A 16th century map of Flanders, drawn by Mercator.

2.5.The war
2.5.1.The destruction
During the first world war Klerken was destroyed completely.

On the sixteenth of September Klerken was full of fugitives. A month later the Germans made their entry. Almost al the inhabitants are escaped to France. On the seventeenth of October the Germans retreated on Houthulst and a French patrol makes its entry; they think they're set free already. Klerken falls again into the hands of the Germans and becomes their observation post over the front. This was a stone mill, standing on 48 meters above sea level. It has several underground passageways. The inside is in the war burned down by the resistance. This was the Germans last post of resistance. On the twenty third of November Klerken is completely destructed.
The second world war is passed by without distruction.

2.5.2.Restruction

the ancient city-hall, now used as private home

the old city-hall, now restored as a day-care centre

The soldiers aren't left or the people search their homes back. They find only rubbish. There's immediately built a shelter so they have a roof above their heads. There's founded a municipal storehouse and they build mil barracks.


A few more photographs….

a view on the dorpsstraat	the dorpsstraat before 1914
a picture of klerken seen from the air	the policestation

Klerken rises from its rubbish.
Better and more beautiful than ever.

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