Gerry's Collection
of Antique Wax Seal Stamps
Lalaing Family
Count of Lalaing, Barons of Montigny, Viscounts of Audenaerde
The House of Lalaing: A Noble Lineage of the Low Countries.
The House of Lalaing is one of the most distinguished noble families in the history of the Low Countries, with origins tracing back to the 13th century. Originating from the House of Forest (a vassal of the Count of Flanders), the family hails from Forest-sur-Marque, now located in France near Lille (formerly part of the County of Flanders). It produced numerous governors and generals in the service of the sovereigns of Hainaut, the Dukes of Burgundy, and later the Kings of Spain.
The family counted among its members seven grand bailiffs of Hainaut, Stadtholders of Holland, Zeeland, and Guelders, and twelve knights of the Order of the Golden Fleece. The family still exists today and resides in Belgium. Their castle, the Château de Lalaing (also known as Hof van Lier), is located in Zandberg. lineage of the region.
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The name of the Lalaing family is mentioned for the first time in a letter from Countess Clemence of Flanders, dated 1116. Felix Brassart, historian of the Lalaing family, traces their origins to a lineage “from the castellany of Lille, in Forest, a humble village that once depended on the parish of Ascq.” The earliest known ancestor is Gossuin de Forest, who lived around 1095, and is therefore regarded as the first Lord of Lallaing.
Gossuin de Forest is recognized as the earliest known ancestor of the noble House of Lalaing. Although there are no surviving charters or documents directly authored by Gossuin, the fact that he is mentioned at all, especially in connection with Countess Clémence of Flanders in 1116, indicates that he held local authority and land, likely as a minor lord or vassal under the Count of Flanders. His title, seigneur de Lallaing, appears to have been retroactively attributed to him, as he is regarded as the founder of the Lalaing line, which would take its name from the nearby locality of Lallaing, not far from Forest-sur-Marque. It is reasonable to infer that Gossuin belonged to the knightly or lesser noble class of the region, typical of the many families who later rose through military service and loyal vassalage to higher-ranking lords. His descendants, beginning in the 12th and 13th centuries, began to use the name de Lalaing, eventually forming one of the most prestigious noble houses in the Burgundian Netherlands.
Simon VI de Lalaing (c. 1405–1476/1477) is generally considered the first prominent and historically well-documented figure of the Lalaing family. While earlier generations had held local seigneurial positions, Simon VI marked a significant rise in the family's political and military stature, especially under the Dukes of Burgundy. Born in 1405, he rose to distinction during the reign of Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, at a time when the Burgundian court was among the most powerful and sophisticated in Europe. Simon’s career marked a turning point for his family. Appointed Admiral of Flanders, he was entrusted with the defense and oversight of the Burgundian fleet during a critical phase of the Hundred Years’ War.
In this role, he led campaigns against English piracy and safeguarded maritime trade, contributing to the stability and prosperity of the Burgundian Netherlands. His effectiveness in command earned him the enduring trust of the duke and the respect of his peers. In recognition of his loyal service, Simon was inducted in 1431 into the prestigious Order of the Golden Fleece, a chivalric order founded by Philip the Good to honor nobles of exceptional merit. This distinction placed him among the elite of Burgundian nobility and established the Lalaing name in the highest circles of courtly and military life. Simon’s influence extended beyond the battlefield. He was also active in diplomacy and crusading efforts, reflecting the values of knightly piety and Burgundian grandeur. Through his position and alliances, he laid the groundwork for the Lalaing family’s lasting prominence in the Low Countries. Simon VI de Lalaing’s rise marked the transformation of his family from local seigneurs into high nobility, paving the way for his descendants to become counts, governors, and leading figures in the service of the Burgundian and later Habsburg sovereigns. He remains a defining figure in the history of the Lalaing lineage.
By the 14th and 15th centuries, the Lalaings had become influential figures at the Burgundian court, serving the Dukes of Burgundy in both civil and military capacities. Their loyalty and service to the sovereigns of the Burgundian Netherlands, and later the Habsburgs, earned them prominent positions, including governorships and court appointments. Over time, the family was ennobled further, receiving titles such as Counts of Lalaing, Barons of Montigny, and Marquises of Renty. Their nobility, confirmed under successive regimes, stemmed from military distinction, political service, and strategic alliances through marriage.
The Lalaing family possessed numerous estates and castles across Hainaut, Flanders, Artois, and Picardy. The Château de Lallaing, their ancestral seat, stood for centuries near Douai, although it has since fallen into ruin. Other properties, such as the Château de Montigny and the Château de Rassenghien, were associated with various branches of the family. While many of these residences were lost or repurposed during the French Revolution and later upheavals, the family’s legacy endured.
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Several branches of the family emerged over the centuries, some of which became extinct, while others survive to this day. Descendants of the Lalaing family are still present in Belgium, France, and Spain, and some branches retain their noble status in modern genealogical records. While no longer wielding political power, members of the family have remained engaged in cultural, religious, and philanthropic activities, and their name continues to command historical respect.
Among the most prominent figures in the family’s history is, as mentioned above, Simon de Lalaing (c. 1405–1476), Admiral of Flanders and knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece, who fought against piracy under Duke Philip the Good. Others include Charles I de Lalaing (1466–1525) served as governor of Holland, Zeeland, and Friesland under Emperor Charles V, and was a key figure at court. Philippe de Lalaing (1499–1550), Count of Hoogstraten and imperial chamberlain, held significant diplomatic roles.
Perhaps the most controversial was George de Lalaing, Count of Rennenberg, who began as a supporter of William of Orange during the Dutch Revolt but later defected to the Spanish side, a move that altered the course of the conflict in the northern provinces. Another notable figure is Marie-Christine de Lalaing, celebrated for her courageous defense of Tournai during the wars of the late 16th century.
Gerry's Collection of Antique Seal Stamps.