Simon de Lalaing

Who was Simon de Lalaing?

Simon de Lalaing was an Admiral of Flanders from 1436 to 1462, after which he relinquished the title to his eldest son Othon de Lalaing. He was made a knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece in 1431. He married Johanna van Gavere, with whom he had two children, Joost and Willem.

Between 1437 and 1438, with the approval of Philip the Good, he led the piracy targeted at English ships from the city of Sluis. Even though he was no longer admiral in 1464, he was involved in equipping the fleet for the crusade against the ottomans that pope Pius II had proclaimed. The crusade was led by Antoine, bastard of Burgundy, and Simon took part in it as well.