 The traders and their political agents, the "aldermen", called upon their liege, Philip the Fair, to maintain their dominant monopolistic position.To do so, he garrisoned French troops in the town, a highly unpopular action that caused widespread fear and anger among the Flemish in Bruges.During the night of 18 May 1302, armed insurrectionists led by Pieter de Coninck and Jan Breydel entered the houses where the French were garrisoned.