Comments on the Relationship Between the Sainte-Gudule Chapter and the Charity Institutions in Brussels (11th-15th century)

In his studies devoted to the ecclesiastical history of Brussels in the Middle Ages, Canon Placide Lefevre was quite critical about the charity activities of the Sainte-Gudule Chapter. He considered that there was no involvement in the relief, no truly chapter hospital, a global lack of interest after the twelfth century and a focus on the oratories. It appears this vision has to be balanced. On the one hand, the relief provided by the Poor Table has a link with the chapter and the Sainte-Gudule hospital can be considered as a chapter hospital. On the other hand, though the chapter itself is not involved in the foundations or management of the charity institutions, clerics are privately involved as are other 'members' of the chapter like the Church fabric, the Poor Table and some dignitaries.