Battle of Lumecon

The Procession of the Golden Chariot
2009 DTA

The origins of the Battle of Lumecon date back to a medieval play played by the Fraternity of Saint George founded in 1380. The main duty of the Fraternity was to continue the cult of its Patron Saint, to accompany his reliquary during the procession of the "Golden Chariot" and to organize plays in the Saint's honor.

The legend of Saint George comes from a story that took place at the beginning of the fourth century. A dragon in a Mediterranean land is requiring human sacrifices each day. One day it is the turn of the King's daughter. George, a young Christian officer, subjugates the monster, ties the princess's belt around its neck and returns  to the city with the princess and the monster. The Royal family and the inhabitants are converted to Christianity and George slays the dragon.

Thirty-one men perform in the Lumecon and form part of either the Saint's escort or that of the dragon. Saint George rides on a horseback, eight "Chinchins" (his protectors) assist him in pursuing the dragon. The dragon's escort includes devils,

and savages. Eleven men support the dragon's body.

The public also takes an active part. The dragon strikes blows at the public with its tail. Among the front rows of the public, everyone tries to grab the monster's tail and to pull out the hair and ribbons as both of these bring good luck. Three times the dragon gives a long swirl of his tail and knocks over the chinchins but after a fierce fight good triumphs over evil.

The battle will take place at 12.25 pm on the Main Square of the City of Mons. On the morning of the same day a historical and religious procession takes place in the streets of the town of Mons. The procession starts at 10 am at the Collegiate Church of Saint Waudru and ends two hours later, having followed an itinerary that has not undergone any considerable changes since 1804.

The form of the procession is based on the four parishes of the old town of Mons: Saint Nicholas, Our Lady of Messina, Saint Elizabeth and Saint Waudru. Each parish has its guild fraternity with a Patron and statues of the Virgin.

It is in the groups of the parish of Saint Waudru that the chariot of gold that brings up the rear of the procession is to be seen. The chariot of gold is a Louis XVI-style gilt carriage bearing the reliquary of Saint Waudru and is drawn by six horses. The most outstanding ritual in the procession is the chariot of gold's ascent of the Saint Waudru Ramp at the end of the procession. The chariot of gold must go up the slope without stopping and a crowd of Mons people gather behind the chariot to assist the horses in their effort.

For more information contact the Tourist Office of Mons by phone (011-32- 65) 33 55-80 or email.