Crusader Leon de Bruxelles (1 Viewer)

[Guy]

Who is Leon the Bruxelles?
He can't be a Belgian knight because Belgium did not exist in medieval times.
Never heard of the man before and if he extisted at all he should be called a Frankish knight from the Duchy of Brabant or a Flemish knight.
Has anyone some more info about this strange figure ?
thanks
Guy

 

[Gazza]

May not be who, but what...

Léon de Bruxelles, founded in 1989, is a popular chain of restaurants in France that primarily serves moules-frites.

Gazza

 

[bearybones]

Where do you see reference to this knight? Is it a King & Country figure?

 

[Currahee Chris]

HA!! Now that is funny- yeah, I think there was some mention as to who this guy was for a second back when he was first announced. I guess if I collect Crusaders, which I do not, then I just cal him a knight and move on.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Clearly a Frankish knight and not a knight of Belgium which did not exist then. He is named after the ancient city of Leon in northern Spain near the French border, Leon was taken by the Visigoths in AD 586 and was allowed to retain it's fortifications. The Visigoths were short lived there, soon being defeated by the Fanks - Guy is correct in thinking he was a Frankish knight. Leon stood as the advance post (bulwark) against the Muslim invasions protecting the pass through the mountains into France and eventually the Moors were driven from Spain. Leon (or lion, the symbol on the coat of arms of the city is a purple lion) and Bruxelles (the French name of Brussels) is where the family name is from.

Today, an ancient local dish of mussels and potatoes (now french fries) is a dish still popular in Belgium and Northern France where there are restaurants which specialize in the dish and are named after Leon de Bruxelles. Sort of like how the sandwich was named after the Earl of Sandwich.

Even the gold and dark blue colours of the dish hark back to the gold and dark blue colours of the knight.

 

[Guy]

We had a Frankish knight Godefroid de Bouillon ( Bouillon today is still a city in the Belgian Ardennes- one can still visit his castle) who was the leader of the first crusade. His sword is still on display in Jerusalem. He became the first governor of the holy city. Another Flemish knight who participated was named "Diderick from Alsace" who brought back the holy blood to the city of Bruges where I live .. Leon de Bruxelles I know very well.I enjoyed many meals in his restaurants. As you say world famous for mussels and french fried potatoes. However,it is not a chain of French restaurants but it is 100% Belgian.
Guy

 

[g18]

I have been googling on many of these K&C crusaders and quite a number throw up a blank. Wonder if these are just imaginery figures? Knights with no name (a la Clint Eastwood) are fine with me - as long as they are full of action.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

I have been googling on many of these K&C crusaders and quite a number throw up a blank. Wonder if these are just imaginery figures? Knights with no name (a la Clint Eastwood) are fine with me - as long as they are full of action.

I would think that many of the knights, aside from the really famous ones are fantasy figures.

Terry

 

[JPB]

There is also the cross of Lotharingen

 

[Gebhard]

We had a Frankish knight Godefroid de Bouillon ( Bouillon today is still a city in the Belgian Ardennes- one can still visit his castle) who was the leader of the first crusade. His sword is still on display in Jerusalem. He became the first governor of the holy city. Another Flemish knight who participated was named "Diderick from Alsace" who brought back the holy blood to the city of Bruges where I live .. Leon de Bruxelles I know very well.I enjoyed many meals in his restaurants. As you say world famous for mussels and french fried potatoes. However,it is not a chain of French restaurants but it is 100% Belgian.
Guy

Guy ,
I visited Bouillon in Sept to see the castle of the Great Godfrey it was a beautiful day even got to see a Falcon show in the court yard %^V . I think this figure is actually based on Chuck Liddell a famous mixed martial artist from the US and be careful not to eat too many French fries when in Belgium I liked mine with Flemish Stew Regards Gebhard

 

[g18]

I would think that many of the knights, aside from the really famous ones are fantasy figures.

Terry

Then I prefer knights with no name.

 

[Guy]

There is also the cross of Lotharingen

This could be right , because the southern part of what today is Belgian territory was part of Neder-Lotharingen and is today still known under that name especially the region of Arlon and Virton. South-Eastern part of Belgium and Luxembourg
Guy

 

[JPB]

This could be right , because the southern part of what today is Belgian territory was part of Neder-Lotharingen and is today still known under that name especially the region of Arlon and Virton. South-Eastern part of Belgium and Luxembourg
Guy

Friends of mine also claim that at least two of the flags he is holding are correct

 

[Guy]

Friends of mine also claim that at least two of the flags he is holding are correct

I do not doubt about the flags but only about the name of the crusader
guy^&confuse