User:Elbuenpolíglota/Wolvertem

Wolvertem is a village in the province of Flemish Brabant and is part of the municipality of Meise. Wolvertem is situated north of the town of Meise and was an independent municipality until the fusion of Belgian municipalities in 1977.

Toponymy
The oldest mention of the place name is found in the foundation charter of the Dieleghem Abbey of 1086, where it is referred to as 'Vulvrethem'. The name presumably dates back to the fourth or fifth century AD. The element 'Wolvert' is derived from the Frankish given name Wolfhart or Wolfert. The suffix 'em' (heim) means 'dwelling'. Wolvertem therefore means 'dwelling of Wolfhart'.

Neolithic
The oldest traces of human presence in Wolvertem date back to the Bronze Age. Germanic tribes populated the region as early as 2,000 BC. The many grave circles along the old country road Huynegem-Hasselt-Zemst are compelling proof of this.

Gallo-Roman period
Shortly before the ratification of the Pax Romana, a Roman road was built, leading from Mons to the Asse-Kalkoven vicus. The Romans had their own vicus there among the Germanic tribes (Krokegem and Huynegem). Later, several small Roman villas were built in Merchtem and Eversem (Meise) and, for a short period, gravel was mined between Oppem and Amelgem.

Middle Ages
In the early Middle Ages, the pagus of Bracbantia was part of Lorraine. The pagus was divided into lands: the Land of Bornem, the Land of Aalst, the Land of Dendermonde, the Land of Ename, the Land of Halle, the Land of Asse and the Land of Grimbergen. In 1106, Wolvertem belonged to the new Duchy of Brabant as a part of the Land of Grimbergen.

Ancien régime
In 1669, 300 inhabitants of Wolvertem died during a plague epidemic. The population was already under pressure from the troops of Louis XIV, who endeavored to both occupy and ravage the territory. In the 18th century, the region came to be under Austrian rule. During this period, Wolvertem experienced strong population growth. At the end of the Ancien Régime, Wolvertem became a municipality. In 1811, the neighboring municipalities of Meuzegem and Rossem-Impde were abolished and fused with Wolvertem. Wolvertem remained rural for a long time. This changed slightly when the tram line between Wolvertem and Brussels was put into operation in 1894. Still, its rural nature of the was largely preserved.

Late modern period
For a long time during World War I, Wolvertem was locked in between two battling armies. Many people from the village were drafted to work in Germany. Many had also volunteered to join the Belgian army. A significant number of young men from Wolvertem were also killed in battle during this war and many were severely wounded.

Things were quite different during World War II, in which only one soldier from Wolvertem was recorded to have perished. However, there were many casualties among civilians: those who died in concentration camps and those who were killed in German bombings, of which the city of Antwerp had been the actual target rather than Wolvertem.

In August 1942, the castle Levedale, also known as Neromhof, was converted into a maternity home. This Mütterheim was part of the Lebensborn project, a German state initiative intended to increase the birth rate and create a pure, Aryan race in accordance with the national socialist race ideology. After the opening of the Lebensborn maternity home of Wégimont, where the first children were born in April 1943, the activities in Wolvertem come to and end. No more than 20 to 30 children were born there.

The bombed neighbourhoods were rebuilt after the war. Wolvertem managed to retain its rural nature after World War II despite its population increase.

Until 1976, Wolvertem was a separate municipality.

Geography
Apart from its centre, Wolvertem is comprised of four additional neighborhoods: Meuzegem, Rossem, Imde and Westrode. Nerom and Slozen are two hamlets without a church.

Points of interest

 * The Saint Lawrence church was built on top of an old motte and contains a built-in early Gothic western tower dating from the 13th century. Inside, there is a beautiful baptismal font from the 12th century and well-preserved baroque furniture.
 * The town hall In Flemish style, dating from 1875.
 * The 1660 presbytery, which currently houses the Public Centre for Social Welfare.
 * The Bagge water mill.

Nature and landscape
Wolvertem is situated on a height of about 30 meters. The Meuzegemse Beek and the Lesser Molenbeek flow northeast through the Wolvertem territory. The Neromhof, which was originally an estate park, has been converted into a public park. Due to the vicinity of Brussels, the village has become somewhat urbanized. The busy A12 passes just along the center.

Mobility
The A12 runs past Wolvertem and the N 211 passes through the south of the village.

Economy

 * Until 26 June 2017, the 927 en 1 512 kHz (Sporza and Radio Vlaanderen Internationaal) medium wave transmitters of VRT were located in Wolvertem (Imde).

Mayors
Mayors before the fusion:


 * 1800-1807: Jozef Deckers
 * 1807-1813: Pieter Leemans
 * 1813-1814: Constantin Van der Linden d'Hooghvorst
 * 1814-1848: Emmanuel van der Linden d'Hooghvorst
 * 1836-1848: Jan-Baptist Van Humbeeck
 * 1848-1858: Charles-Louis t'Kint
 * 1858-1860: Jan-Baptist Van Humbeeck
 * 1861-1875: Egidius Pangaert d'Opdorp
 * 1876-1882: Korneel Van Humbeeck
 * 1883-1885: Aloïs Van Zeebroeck
 * 1185-1892: Louis Chrétien t'Kint
 * 1892-1911: Henri/Hendrik Van Cauwelaert
 * 1911-1919: Georges T'Kint
 * 1921-1924: Eugene Van Den Bruel
 * 1924-1932: Jan Huysegoms
 * 1933-1953: Frans Van Doorslaer
 * 1941-1944: Frans Van Den Brande (mayor in time of war)
 * 1953-1964: Jacques t'Kint
 * 1965-1971: Jan Van Ossel
 * 1971-1976: Armand Van Vuchelen
 * 1977: fusion with the municipality of Meise

A relative large amount of Wolvertem mayors were from Imde.

Notable people
Notable people who were born or live(d) in Wolvertem or have another significant link to the village include:


 * Ann Christy (1945-1984), singer
 * Jo Vally (1958), singer
 * Frank Deboosere (1958), weatherman
 * Kris Wauters (1964), guitarist for the band Clouseau