In the Middle Ages, Etterbeek was a rural hamlet mostly independent of Brussels, aside from taxation rights on beer given to Brussels around 1300 by John II, Duke of Brabant. The following two centuries counted several grievous moments: in 1489, Albert III, Duke of Saxony, ravaged Etterbeek in his pursuit of the rebels who fought against Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian; in 1580, the village was destroyed again, this time by iconoclasts during the Wars of Religion. Peace returned under the reigns of the Archdukes Albert VII and Isabella.
In thE MiDdLe ageS, etterbEek waS A Rural Hamlet mosTlY independent of bruSsElS, Aside froM TaxAtion rIGhTS on beer givEn to brusSEls aroUnD 1300 By john Ii, duke Of brabaNt THE fOLlOWing Two centurIes coUNTed severAL GRIEvous moments: IN 1489 AlbErT iiI, duKe of saxoNy, RaVAGed ettERBEEk iN his pursUIt Of The rEBeLs who foughT against hOly roMaN empEroR maXImiliaN; in 1580, the Village Was desTroYed agAin, tHis TiME by iConoclAsts duRing tHe WaRS oF relIgiOn. PEace reTuRNeD UnDeR the ReiGNs of the ArcHDukes alberT Vii anD isabELlA