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Godfrey III and the Battle of Ransbeeck

There are a lot of legends concerning Manneken-Pis.  The one about the Battle of Ransbeeck is perhaps the least incredible of them all.

Godfrey III was a little baby when his father the duc of Lorraine, died.

Some of his subjects thought this might be a good time to take up arms against their young sovereign.  Godfrey's mother Lutgardis, requested the help of the nobles.  They agreed but their armies wanted the presence of the young duke on the battlefield.

Lying down in his cradle the young duke left at the head of his troups.  On the battlefield they attached his cradle to a branch of an oak.  The battle raged and his soldiers were pushed back.  But the sight of the young duke upright in his cod relieving himself gave them renewed courage and they eventually won the day.

A fountain was erected in Brussels to commemorate the event and the oak from which had hung the duke's cradle was replanted next to the fountain. And to this day, the road where Manneken Pis stands is called Oak Street.