History, Wonder Tales, Fairy Tales, Myths and Legends The Flemish | Page 290

THE COLONIZATION OF THE AZORES ISLANDS
The Flemings
People from Flanders settled in the Azores beginning in 1450. These Flemish settlers
played an important role in the creation of the Azorean culture. By 1490, there were
2,000 Flemings living in the islands of Terceira, Pico, Faial, Sao Jorge, and Flores.
Because there was such a large Flemish settlement, the Azores became known as the
Flemish Islands or the Isles of Flanders.
Henry was responsible for this settlement. His sister, Isabel, was married to Duke
Philip of Burgundy of which Flanders was a part. There was a revolt against Philip's
rule and disease and hunger became rampant. Isabel appealed to Henry to allow
some of the unruly Flemings to settle in the Azores. He granted this and supplied them
with the necessary transportation and goods.
First group of Flemings was led by Willem van de Hagen, later known by his
Portuguese name of Guilherme da Silveira. They settled in Terceira, and the Flemish
nobleman, Jacome de Bruges, was placed in charge. The next contingents went to the
islands of Faial, Flores, Sao Jorge,55 and Pico. Joos van Huerter founded the city of
Horta on Faial57 where evidence of the Flemish people and culture still exists today.
Faial was in fact called the Flemish Island and the valley behind the city still has the
name, the Valley of the Flemings or O Valle dos Flamengo.
But the Flemish language disappeared before long, and the Flemish settlers changed
their names to Portuguese forms. For example, van der Hagen became Silveira, and
Huerter became Dutra or Utra. Flemish physical traits of light hair, light complexion,
and blue eyes can still be seen in the features of many Azoreans. Flemish oxcarts and
windmills are still seen on the islands. The Flemish beghards and beguines (layreligious group) brought the Festival of the Holy Spirit and their distinctive cloaks and
hoods to the islands. There are many religious statuary, paintings, and furniture found
in Azorean churches and museums which show the Flemish influence.
An interesting sidelight is the speculation that some Flemish people may have
reached the North Carolina coast inadvertently during this migratory activity. In North
Carolina, there was a group of people, calling themselves the Melungeons, who had
light colored skin and identified themselves as Portuguese. These were not Native
Americans. It is thought, that maybe one of the ships bound for the Azores, coming
from Flanders, may have overshot the islands and found its way to the Carolina coast,
but evidence is lacking.

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