Leuvis Van Damme

Leuvis Van Damme (1427-1503) was a Brunanter politician and the first King of Brunant. He also served as president of the Brunanter Republic.

Biography
Van Damme was born in Grijzestad to Gerhard van Damme and Philippa of Cleves (b. ca. 1480). Gerhard was a rich merchant from Maastricht and Philippa was the daughter of Adolf III, Count of Cleves and Mark. His parents moved to Brunant and it appears they both died while he was young. Van Damme had one sister as well. Van Damme entered politics in the 1450s and by 1460 he was an important politician in the Brunanter Republic. In 1471 he was elected president of the Brunanter Republic. Initially content with his position, he was persuaded by his wife, the cunning Caroline Koch to acquire a grip on government and remain in power, essentially as a dictator. In the summer of 1475 he had opposing politicians arrested and appointed loyal friends to their positions. By then he dominated the Republican Estates and had unopposed rule. With the help of some politicians, including the future Count of Drenthe, Leuvis orchestrated an internal coup in which the Estates was dissolved and he became king. He was crowned in Grijzestad in 1476. He reigned until his death in 1502, leaving the throne to his oldest surviving male heir, Leuvis II.

Family
In 1452, he married Isabelle van Neyt (1433-1465) and had they had 6 children:


 * Hubertus Van Damme (1453-1499)
 * Caroline Van Damme (1455-1521)
 * August Van Damme (1455-1459)
 * Gerhard Van Damme (1458-1500)
 * Maria Van Damme (1460-1461)
 * Gustav Van Damme (1461-1465)

Isabelle died while giving childbirth to Gustav, a sickly child who died at age 4. In 1466, he married Caroline Koch (1441-1516) and they had 7 children:


 * Christina Van Damme (1467-1501)
 * Leuvis Van Damme (the future Leuvis II) 1470-1533
 * Johana Maria Van Damme (1473-1510)
 * Adriaan Van Damme (1473-1560)
 * Caroline Alexandra Van Damme (1475-1482)
 * Jan Van Damme (1476-1520)
 * Elizabeth Van Damme (1478)