1200-1400 Venice of the North.

In the 13^th century Bruges emerged as the most important trading center in Northwest Europe, entertaining relations with England, France, Spain, Italy, Germany and Scandinavia, and serving as a link between the Mediterranean and the Northern countries. The basis of its wealth was the cloth industry. Wool was imported from England, woven by skilled workers and the cloth exported. Moreover ships coming for cloth, brought other goods. 

The growth of the city is illustrated by the erection of several civil buildings with official functions, of churches, nuclei of settlements, and by the founding of the Beguinage. These buildings determine till today the "city landscape":  Belfry and Market Hall, City Hall, St.John's Hospital, Church of Our Lady, St.Saviour’s cathedral. In 1275 new walls were built further away from the center. These would remain unchanged for 500 years and the ditches dug to protect them are still on the map. To serve its international trade a complex banking system developed, including the first stock exchange in Europe.

The city had to obey the Count of Flanders, who in his turn was subordinated to the King of France. Not that each party accepted its position so easily. On several occasions the city rose against the Count, and the delicate balance of power expressed by "privileges" granted by the Count, in exchange for support from the city, was often in danger. As for the Count, France was far away, and obedience often forgotten. Moreover, because Bruges depended on England, the source of its wool the Count  often found himself in a tight spot, because France was more in war with England than in peace. In 1299  France annexed Flanders and put the Count in jail. However in 1302 the French army was defeated by Bruges and its allies, in the Battle of the Golden Spurs. Later this battle gained an important symbolic importance, that affects Belgian politics till today.