Ghent prospered through the early 15th century, and a number of local councilors sought to establish a sense of independence from Burgundian rule.
As warden (kerkmeester) of St. John's, Vijd between 1410 and 1420 not only financed the construction of the principal chapel's bay, but endowed a new chapel off the choir, which took his family name and was regularly to hold masses in his and his ancestors' memory.