Teralfene is a village in the municipality of Affligem, Belgium. It has an area of 244 ha (602.94 acres). The other communities in Affligem are Hekelgem and Essene.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d8/Winters_zicht_op_Teralfene.jpg/250px-Winters_zicht_op_Teralfene.jpg)
Name
editThe name "Teralfene" originates from the brook Alfene (now called the Bellebeek) which flows into the Dender. The oldest reference to the village is Iuxta Alfnam (+- 1142)
History
editDuring the post-Carolingian period, Teralfene belonged to the shire of Brabant. From 1056 it was part of a fief of the Holy Roman Empire that was granted to the counts of Flanders (known as Imperial Flanders). During the French period (1796-1815) Teralfene was part of the Department of the Dyle. During the Dutch period (1815-1830) this department was transformed into the province South Brabant by William I of the Netherlands. Until the end of 1976, Teralfene was an independent municipality.
Politics
editList of mayors
editThis list contains the known mayors of Teralfene until the merger into Affligem.
- 1797: Joannes Van Nieuwenhove (agent municipal)
- 1798: Jean Baptiste Vaerman (agent municipal)
- 1799: Jean Verhaevert (agent municipal)
- 1800-1803: Mathias Gruber (acting mayor, from Asse)
- 1804-1808: Adrien Joseph De Bisschop
- 1809-1811: Jean Baptiste Vaerman
- 1812-1829: Jan Baptiste Van Nieuwenhove
- 1830-1835: Adriaan Frans Asselman
- 1836-1860: Ferdinand Van Den Plas
- 1861-1898: Nicolaas Van Den Plas
- 1899- : Egied Bosteels
- 1900-1911: Josephus Bernardus Van Nieuwenborgh
- 1912-1920: Jean Baptiste Callebaut
- 1921-1938: Alfons Van Vaerenbergh
- 1939-1940: Eugeen Bosteels
- 1941-1944: Alfons De Bisschop
- 1944-1946: Eugeen Bosteels
- 1947-1952: Jozef Van Vaerenbergh
- 1953-1970: Edmond Geeraerts
- 1971-1976: Frans Van Den Borre
Political parties
editBefore Teralfene became part of Affligem, two political parties were prominent at the local level: the Dries and the Daal-party, each named after an area of the village. Both parties originated from a disagreement over an inheritance, and divided Teralfene since 1850. The Daal and Dries parties had about equal power, and election victories switched constantly for over 100 years.
After the merger into Affligem, other parties (CVP, SP, VU and PVV) gained popularity, and the Daal and Dries parties dissolved.
Demographics
edit19th century
editYear | 1806 | 1816 | 1830 | 1846 | 1856 | 1866 | 1876 | 1880 | 1890 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
number of inhabitants | 697 | 737 | 903 | 1.062 | 1.135 | 1.231 | 1.337 | 1.420 | 1.494 |
20th century until 1976 (year of merger into Affligem)
editYear | 1900 | 1910 | 1920 | 1930 | 1947 | 1961 | 1970 | 1976 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
number of inhabitants | 1.714 | 1.983 | 2.063 | 2.344 | 2.618 | 3.138 | 3.363 | 3.540 |