On the main square of the charming little village of Hierges, you will discover on a wall of one of the buildings, La Croix du Duel... there since 1579.
But what is its story... The story takes place in the 1th century, in front of the house of Johan Henquin, brewer and innkeeper in Hierges. Henry Mayreau is a soldier in Charlemont in the service of the King of Spain. One of his brothers, Thiry Mayreau, is clerk at the castle for Gilles de Berlaymont, baron de Hierges. They are seated in front of the inn with many villagers on May 3, the day when the hiring of agricultural workers is negotiated. We drink a lot when Jehan Collin, mayor of Vireux St Martin, arrives. Henry Mayreau gets annoyed and accuses the mayor of making comments that tarnish his reputation. Jehan Collin's denials piss him off. He then enters the inn and grabs his sword which hangs from a nail and hits Jehan Colin on the head and hand. Jehan Collin draws his turn and hits three blows which bring his opponent to the ground... Henry Mayreau is dead. Detained at the castle, Jehan Collin was released the next day and on May 13, he sent a request for pardon to Gilles de Berlaymont. On June 1579, 600, the Baron of Hierges, judging Jehan Collin in a state of self-defense, sent a letter freeing him, but ordering him to no longer stay on the lands of Hierges and banishing him from there for the rest of his life. Jehan Collin, in addition, will have to pay XNUMX gold florins to the victim's orphans and raise an expiatory cross at the site of the homicide.
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