Vosselare

Vosselare is a submunicipality and parish of the community of Nevele.

History

The parish is first mentioned in 694 as Fursitio in the yearbook of the St-Peter Abbey of Ghent, and again in 802. Later on it is refered to as 'Voslariensis ecclesiae' (1087), Vurslar (1122), Vorselar (1125), Furselare (1130), Vurselaer (1140), Vorselaer (1147), Vursselare (1230, 1320, 1579), Vorslaer (1330), Vurselare (1364, 1500) and Vosselare for the first time in 1650 . Although other explanations are given, the name Vosselare probably originates from 'Vurst' and 'Laar', meaning an open, empty space in a forest .

The heerlijkheid Vosselare is known from its lord 'Willelmus de Vurslar' or 'de Forselar' (1122, 1125), while his brother Balduinus de Furslare is mentioned in 1130. The family is also mentioned later as Heinric van Vurselare (1364) and Arnold van Vurselaer (1413) but the heerlijkheid has already previously passed to Thomas van den Turre, who is mentioned as participant in the Battle of the Golden Spurs in 1302.

Within Vosselare, also the (more important) heerlijkheid of the 'Hof Ter Meeren' or 'Hof ter Mere' is situated. This heerlijkheid covered parts of many neighbouring communities. Its casstle is still situated in the submunicipality. Also the heerlijkheid Goed ter Meersch, of which a large farm with the same name is still remaining. It is supposed to have been a possesion of the Knights Templar, going to the Van der Meersch family in 1314 .

Little is known about the medieval history of the village. Geuzen have attacked the church and a farmhouse on 4 October 1575. Six thousand French knights occupied the village and destroyed the harvest on 18 August 1684. The church was pillaged twice in 1688, and again in 1691 and 1696.

The church is first mentioned in 1087 . The church was supposed to be rebuild by the Knights Templars at the end of their existence, resulting is a close connection with the noble family Van der Meersch who are supposed to descend from them.