Tournai has the privilege of being the only city in Belgium which was ever English. Henry VIII Tudor, who claimed to be 'King of France and England', wanted to see his possessions and in June 1513, he landed at Calais with a strong army. He had concluded an alliance with Maximilian of Austria whose ambitions were greater than Henry's ones. Maximilian insisted on not going ahead southwards but on laying siege to Tournai first.

 

In fact, Maximilian's grandson, Thomas Wolsey, who was already titular of the Lincoln see, and who was appointed to the post of cardinal of York, wanted to annex the see of Tournai too, because he was interested in the 80,000 pounds annual income. After a three days' siege, Henry VIII, who had his sumptuous 'tent of the Cloth of Gold' in the outskirt of the Lagache Farm, was called on by the Magistrates of the town who came to make their submission and to give him the keys of the City.

Henry VIII and a numerous suite made a triumphal entry in the town by the Ste Fontaine Gate (rue de la Madeleine]. The luxury shown by his court caused great sensation. At first, Henry VIII gave sumptuous parties, especially a tournament - which was restaged in 1913 and had a great success.

 

At the beginning of the occupation, the atmosphere was cordial, because the art manufactures of the town received big orders of tapestry-works, goldsmith's works, embroidery works... But gradually, the good terms worsened. The orders weren't paid for the fines became heavier and hostility appeared. The soldiers of the garrison were billeted with the local population and gradually English soldiers disappeared for ever in taverns and evil haunts. In view of this atmosphere of growing insecurity, the governor found a radical solution : he brought the whole English garrison to one place of the town and he fortified the district.

 

The district of du Bruille was completely suitable to him. At that time, the town, which was surrounded by strong walls (which followed the present boulevards), was cut in two - more or less equal - parts by the Scheldt, which is crossing it. The first thing to do was to open the enclosing wall, to build an enormous tower and a wall which connects with the Scheldt, along the 'Place Verte', at the base of which a deep moat was cut so that the whole district was isolated and surrounded by water.

Then it took the name of 'Château' (Castle) and its keep was the 'Great Tower' (Henry VIII tower).

So the 'Great Tower' could keep the detachments of lookout men and archers who had a redoubtable reputation. They would never miss their targets at a distance of 200 meters.

The district of the 'Château' (castle) had also its church, hospital St André, Royal Household (where one coined and numerous private houses).

At the beginning of the occupation, the strong artillery of Henry VIII was concentrated in the district of St Piat (rue des Ingers). This material was used in the defensive system of the town.

In 1518, Francis I succeeded in including Tournai in his possessions to the joy of the inhabitants. The town made the King's envoys numerous presents, in spite of the austerity of the times.

Bishop Wolsey was willing to leave his see of Tournai, if France paid bim an annuity of 12,000 golden crowns.

With Charles V began the long Spanish domination, in 1321.

In the bloody times of the repression of the protestantism, under Philip II, Tournai went through a crucial period. The town revived round the end of the l6th century but we had to wait till 1667 when Tournai passed in the possession of Louis XIV.

 

Tournai began then a serious recovery as soon as the king made it capital of Flanders.

At that time (in 1683), the Scheldt was straightened and arranged. The wall of the 'Place Verte' was pulled down; the stones were used for the building of the quays which were edged with beautitul houses in the new style.

Then Tournai knew a lot of vicissitudes till 1830, but it also knew periods when its art manufactures, tapestry, goldsmith's, porselain manufactures brought it its celebrity.

It is in the second part of the 19th century that Tournai Knew the taste for demolition. The idea that the old enclosing walls prevented the town from extending, the creation of new streets, the station district got the town unfortunate destructions.

From the big fortifications with their 60 towers and 18 gates, only the Marvis Tower, the Great Tower and the Pont des Trous remain. We have to say that the Great Tower was to disappear too. The mine chambers were ready and the explosives were going to be placed when fortunately an order arrived from the ministry stipulating the postponing of the dynamiting.

The tower remained but it was not visited. The access was forbidden.

It is in 1929 that the town authorities gave it a new destination: the museum of weapons.
Since the year 2000, the museum has moved.

Created in 1929 and inaugurated in 1930, the museum has the following characteristics:

external diameter : 27 m

internal diameter of the rooms : 13.50 m

the walls are 6.90 m. thick

The access to the top room by a narrow staircase is continued by an access towards the flat roof, which is 21 meters high.