Medieval origins The life of Saint Alena, the 7th-century martyr daughter of a lord of Dilbeek, was set in Dilbeek and Forest (Vorst). The historical facts of her life, however, are disputed. In Carolingian times, Dilbeek and its neighbouring villages were part of the pagus Bracbatensis. This territory, ruled by the Lords of Aa in Anderlecht, was integrated into the Landgraviate of Brabant by the counts of Leuven around 1085. The first mention of the name Dedelbeccha dates from 1075, while the name Bigardis, later transformed into Groot-Bijgaarden (in French Grand Bigard), dates from 1110. Bigardis was originally a dependency of the Abbey of Saint Bavo in Ghent, but by 1125, nuns under the leadership of Saint Wivina had founded a religious community there. Around 1183, the landgraviate became the Duchy of Brabant, within which Dilbeek remained as an independent parish until the French Revolution.
meDIeval ORiginS the Life oF saint alenA, thE 7Th-CentURy mARtYr dAugHtEr oF a lord of DIlbEek, was Set iN DIlbeek and foRest (vorST). The HistoRIcAl facts of her LiFE, hoWeveR, arE DiSpuTEd. In cARolinGIan times, dilbEeK ANd iTs nEIghBOurinG villageS wEre PARt of THe PaGus brACbAtensIs. tHis TerRitOry, RULED bY thE lORds of aa in andErlecht, waS integRAted iNtO the lanDGraviate of bRAbaNT by tHe counTs Of LeUVEN AroUNd 1085. tHe fIrst mention Of the Name dEDelbeccha Dates from 1075, WhiLe thE nAme BIGardis, lateR transformeD inTo gRoot-bijgaarden (in FRench grand bigard), DAtes FrOm 1110. BIgArDiS was oRigiNally A dEpeNdeNCy Of the abbeY of saInt bAVo iN Ghent, bUt by 1125, nuns under the LeAdeRShiP of SAint wivinA had foUnDed A relIgious communiTy tHEre. ARoUND 1183, the LandgRaViAtE becAme the DucHy oF BRabanT, wiThiN WHiCh Dilbeek Remained As an InDEPEndEnt parIsH until the FReNch rEVolutiOn.