Editing Mechelen (section)

===Origins===
Archaeological proof of habitation during the [[La Tene culture|La Tène era]] in the triangle [[Brussels]]–[[Leuven]]–[[Antwerp]], mainly concentrated around Mechelen, which originated in wetlands, includes an {{convert|8.4|m|ft|adj=mid|-long}} canoe cut from an oak tree trunk and a settlement of about five wooden houses, at [[Nekkerspoel]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Virtueel museum: De metaaltijden|publisher=archeoweb Mechelen|url=http://archeoweb.mechelen.be/NL/virtueel/tijdslijn-detail.asp?id=2|access-date=27 January 2007|language=nl|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070430185513/http://archeoweb.mechelen.be/NL/virtueel/tijdslijn-detail.asp?id=2|archive-date=30 April 2007|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

The area of Mechelen was settled on the banks of the river during the [[Gallo-Roman]] period as evidenced by several [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] ruins and roads. Upon Rome's declining influence during 3rd–4th centuries, the area became inhabited by [[Germanic peoples|Germanic tribe]]s. A few centuries later, it was [[Christianization|christianized]], assumedly by the Irish or Scottish missionary [[Rumbold of Mechelen|St Rumbold]] ({{langx|nl|Rombout|link=no}}), who was also said to have built a monastery. Work on the cathedral that is dedicated to the saint started around 1200.

Antwerp lost profitable ''stapelrechten'' (rights as first seller) for wool, oats and salt to Mechelen in 1303 when [[John II, Duke of Brabant|John II]], [[Duke of Brabant]], granted [[city rights]] to the town. This started a rivalry between these cities that would last well into the 20th century.