Editing Philippeville (section)

===The foundation of Philippeville===
At the beginning of the 16th century, the Philippeville region was on the boundary between [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles V]]’s [[Burgundian Netherlands]] and [[Francis I of France|Francis I]]’s [[Kingdom of France|France]]. Fighting around Philippeville did not start, however, until 1554, after [[Henry II of France|Henry II]] had succeeded his father on the throne.  This area was ideal for an attack as it was covered with forests, sparsely populated and divided among the [[County of Hainaut]], that of [[Namur]], by now part of [[Burgundian Netherlands|Burgundy]], and the [[Prince-Bishopric of Liège]]. The medieval forts in the area were taken and pillaged one after the other. The fortress of Mariembourg, close to [[Couvin]], and the town of [[Givet]] soon fell to the French. In 1555, Charles V's new commander, [[William the Silent]], established a new fort in the village of Echerennes, a village known since the 9th century. He garrisoned his troops there as soon as the fort was completed, barely four months after the start of construction.

In 1556, Charles V named his new fortress ''Philippeville'' in honour of his son, [[Philip II of Spain]], who would succeed him in the Netherlands – and on the city – the following year.