Flemish Fortifications

In the past, as today, the government always needed money. One of the ways to save was to call for public contracts to perform major projects. The project was granted to the lowest bidder. Thus it was officially announced on April 30, 1714, that building contractors could apply to perform carpentry and bricklaying for the fortifications of Antwerp and Vlaams Hoofd, situated on the opposite bank of the Schelde. Both Antwerp and Vlaams Hoofd belonged to the Austrian Netherlands, as is shown from the heraldic figure on this announcement. As the lord of Austria was the Emperor of the German Empire, the Brussels print shop was able to use the imperial title.