Gruuthuse Museum, Bruges
The Gruuthuse Museum is located in the grand 15th Century house which once belonged to the Lords of Gruuthuse (De Heren van Gruuthuse). They were a noble family who held the right to impose a tax on the import of ‘gruut’. Gruut was a mixture of dried plants and flowers, which were used by brewers to improve the flavour of beer.
The statue of Louis de Gruuthuse stands above the entrance. He was a counsellor to both Philip the Good and Charles the Bold. He was a shrewd businessman, a diplomat and patron and lover of culture. He extended the house, adding the main wing and the chapel in the 15th Century.
When Edward IV of England fled to the Burgundian Court in Bruges in 1470, he stayed at Gruuthuse and was shown hospitality by Louis de Gruuthuse. He stayed here for two months, before he was finally summoned to a meeting with Charles the Bold, who had kept him waiting.
Although Louis de Gruuthuse was one of the executors of Mary of Burgundy’s will, he quickly fell out of favour with her husband, Maximilian of Austria. In 1485, Louis’ possessions were confiscated and he was imprisoned in Mechelen for three years. Louis was released when the political situation changed, but in 1489, Maximilian returned to power in Flanders and ended Louis’ career. In 1491, he was accused of treason at a chapter meeting of the Order of the Golden Fleece, and died in his palace in Bruges before a court ruling was issued.
The Gruuthuse Museum now contains a collection of items of daily life of the wealthy citizens of Bruges. It has recently undergone a complete renovation, which saw it closed for 5 years. It reopened in 2019, and it's magnificent collection can now be visited.
The entire complex is an architectural masterpiece in 15th Century Flemish style. It pays tribute to its noble founders and remains true to the motto on their crest which says: ‘Plus est en vous” (There is more in you)
The museum collection itself contains stained glass windows, wooden sculptures, Burgundian manuscripts, medieval carvings and Flemish tapestries, to name just a few of its 600 exhibits. The museum is set out in three distinct historic periods; these are the 15th Century, the 17th and 18th centuries, and 19th century Neo-Gothic.
Just as today, the wealthy of medieval Bruges liked to flaunt their possessions. They owned illuminated Books of Hours and their furniture was custom made by the best woodcarvers. Their jewellery was kept in specially made boxes. They decorated their homes with costly tapestries and artistically crafted furniture. They had their coats of arms added to corbels, and their children would play with toy soldiers, just as many children do today.