In 1356, the Count of Flanders attempted to seize power from the Duke of Brabant, occupying the magistrate's house (Maison de l'Etoile) and flying his standard from the roof. 'T Serclaes scaled the building, replaced Flanders' standard with that of the Duke of Brabant and went on to lead the recapturing of the city. These events are represented in bas-relief just above the reclining statue of 'T Serclaes, round the corner from the Maison de l'Etoile on rue Charles Buls.
The effigy of 'T Serclaes is polished smooth from the long-standing superstition that good luck will come to those who stroke it.
