Perron (columnar monument)
A perron is a stone column, often with a cross-bearing orb (globus cruciger), common in many towns that used to belong to the Prince-Bishopric of Liège (980–1795). They were built especially in the Good Cities, the main urban centers of that territory. Some Perrons still exist, though not always in their original form. Perrons were also built in the smaller Principality of Stavelot-Malmedy.
The columns came to symbolize civic freedom and local autonomy, since they were places where laws were proclaimed and justice was administered. The exact origin of the symbol is unclear, with some comparisons to ancient pillories.
In 1467, after Liège was recaptured, Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, had the Liège Perron dismantled and moved to Bruges. It was not returned until after his death and was seen as punishment for the people of Liège and a warning to others.
Perrons can be found in various regions and provinces of modern Belgium, and one is in Maastricht in the Netherlands, a former shared possession of the prince-bishopric and the Duchy of Brabant in the Middle Ages.
Today, the Perron appears in the coat of arms of the city of Liège and on the cap badge of Belgium’s 12th Regiment of the Line.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 03:41 (CET).