Cranenburg House
Maximilian developed an antipathy to Bruges. He relied on Pieter Lanchals, the town administrator and Maximilian’s adviser, to execute an iron reign that included heavy taxations. The reason was to pay for the wars that he waged as head of the Habsburg family. During his visit to Bruges, the oppressed people rose in revolt against him. In 1488, the burghers captured him and Pieter Lanchals. They imprisoned them in the Cranenburg House (also Craenenburg) on the Market Square of Bruges. Pieter Lanchals, who was also his best friend, was beheaded with a guillotine. Maximilian watched the execution by force from the house where he was held captive.