Judith, a Carolingian princess in Ghent?
Together with the researchers, take a deep dive into the science and try to piece together the puzzle of Judith’s life, a queen’s daughter and the first Countess of Flanders. You’ll find out all about the decisive Judith, a fascinating young woman who took her fate into her own hands and stood up to her royal father. The research will whisk you back in time, to the treasuries and intrigues of the Carolingian elite, and the maelstrom of familial wars from which the County of Flanders emerged.
The extensive story of the research
In the shadow of St Peter’s Abbey, where the stones whisper of long-lost days and ancient tales, a cold case was reopened. The story revolves around the discovery of grave S127, a forgotten resting place on the Sint-Pietersplein. This is where research began into the life of the daughter of Charles the Bald, Judith, the first countess of Flanders.
We’ve come full circle: the location of St Peter’s Abbey
St Peter’s Abbey plays a crucial role in the story of Judith and the Counts of Flanders. The results of the archaeological research that preceded the construction of the car park beneath the Sint-Pietersplein attest to the influential position of the abbey through the ages...
Short biography of Judith
Judith's life went through many upheavals, already from an early age...
A special collaboration
For this exhibition, Historische Huizen Gent [Historical Houses of Ghent] collaborated with the Faculty of Arts and Philosophy at Ghent University (UGent), the Pirenne Institute, and the City of Ghent’s Dienst Stadsarcheologie & Monumentenzorg [Urban Archaeology & Monument Care Department].
Researchers
- Prof. Dr. Steven Vanderputten (Department of History, UGent)
- Dr. Stefan Meysman (Department of History, UGent)
- Prof. Dr. Isabelle De Groote (Department of Archeology, UGent)
- Dr. Jessica Palmer (Department of Archeology, UGent)
- Geert Vermeiren (City of Ghent)
- Marie-Anne Bru (City of Ghent)