Maertin Lem, Adriane van Nieuwenhove
During the past centuries a lot has been written about Martime Leme, the merchant in Portugal, and Maertin Lem, the politician in Bruges. Texts about the Portuguese Martim Leme were written by Portuguese historians[1] who did not know the documents in Flanders while texts about Maertin (Maertin II) Lem the politician were written in Flanders by writers who did not know the Portuguese documents.[2] Both stories did not match which has led to a lot of confusion. Various authors have told different stories about both Maertin’s.
These stories were also often full of unreliable, untraceable statements. Even in various recent publications, contradictions can still be found[3].
For example, one author used previous publications to write a text about Maertin Lem without checking the primary sources. Also, old documents were read incorrectly, as author was preoccupied with his own, to be proven theory, in mind[4].
To create clarity, we have put the facts about Maertin Lem from primary sources and other reliably sources in a chronological overview[5].
In 2024 an academic article about Maertin Lem was published by Margarida Leme and Jacques Paviot.[6]
All this research led us to the following conclusions:
- Maertin Lem from Bruges and Martime Leme from Portugal were the same person.
Maertin was ‘poorter’ (citizen) of Bruges and lived from around 1450 till 1465 in Lisbon where he and his partner, Leonor Rodrigues, got 7 children.
In 1465 Maertin returned to Bruges where he continued trading with Portugal but also became closely involved in politics and administration. As burgomaster Maertin married Adriane van Nieuwenhove. Maertin and Adriane got 10 children.Maertin was for Bruges an important person with an extensive Bruges curriculum vitae.
Maertin died on 27 March 1485 (ns) in Leuven.
Contrary to what some authors claim, there is no evidence for Maertin’s flight or banishing from Bruges after his resignation, on his own request, from the office of bailiff. Maertin collected his annuities and payments in Bruges even until shortly before his death in Leuven.
Two of his sons Adriaan and Jan were enrolled at the university in Leuven. It is possible that he was visiting them when he died.
[1] Genealogia Paulistana, By Luiz Gonzaga da Silva Leme.
[2] Bruges et le Franc, by J.J. Gailliard.
[3] Geschiedenis van de Brugse Lem/Lems by André L Fr. Claeys.
[4] Biography of Martin Lem noble Flemish merchant to Portugal in the 15th century. By Ruud J. Lem
[5] Timeline Maertin Lem version 18. By Wil Lem in cooperation with Roger Lems.
[6] Maarten II Lem/Martim Leme. Commerce et politique entre Flandre et Portugal au XVe siècle, in ‘The medieval Low Countries ‘ (10; 2023) by Margarida Leme and Jacques Paviot.
