Louis de Bruges, Lord of Gruuthuse, Prince of Steenhuijs, Earl of Winchester (Dutch: Lodewijk van Brugge; c. 1427 – 24 November 1492), was a Flemish courtier, bibliophile, soldier and nobleman. He was awarded the title of Earl of Winchester by King Edward IV of England in 1472, and was Stadtholder of Holland and Zeeland 1462–77.
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Early life
Born in 1427 as the legitimate son of Lord Jean IV of Bruges of the Gruuthuse family, and Margriet of Steenhuyse, Lady of Avelghem, young Loys (Louis or Ludovicus) was trained in the arts of war and the court in the wealth and luxury of Flanders' Golden Age. Louis de Gruuthuse took part in the Tournament of the White Bear in 1443, 1444, 1447, 1448 and 1450, where he often won one of the prizes. This caught the eye of the Duke of Burgundy and Count of Flanders, Philip the Good (1396–1467), who made Louis his squire and official wine server, an honorary title bestowed on only a few selected men.
As a courtier Louis followed the Duke around his expanding duchy. Meeting with the highest nobles and princes in Europe, he learned the art of diplomacy and secured his place within the Burgundian court. On 19 April 1450 Louis de Gruuthuse again took part in the Tournament of the White Bear and again he won one of the prizes.