In the decades between the end of the Habsburg-Burgundian Netherlands and the rise of the Dutch Golden Age, the Low Countries saw a generation of war, politics, and culture leave its mark. Here are some of those stories.
Nestled in picturesque Belgian hills near Namur, Crupet Castle (also called Carondelet Castle, for reasons I’ll explain shortly) is one of the greatest standing examples of a fortified medieval tower – or donjon. — — 📖 History, 🎨 art, &…
Paul Delaroche (1797-1856) was a renowned French painter known for his dramatic depictions of historical events. Here we see his version of a pivotal moment from the French Wars of Religion that spanned the late 1500s. — — 📖 History,…
Consider the important characters of the Dutch Revolt. It’s quick to think of figures like Prince William of Orange, Philip II, a cartoonish villain like Cardinal Granvelle, or even Queen Elizabeth and the Earl of Leicester. But what of other,…
This is nothing else than a swag appreciation post for the costume and set design in Roland Emmerich’s 2011 film Anonymous. The plot itself is a load of conspiracy theory drivel, but I can overlook it to get my 1500s…
This piece by Giuseppe Aureli (1858-1929) is all about the mood than any attempt at historical accuracy in costuming or weaponry. And wow, it delivers on mood. 🤩 That’s why I like it so much. One of the elements of…
Black powder choked lungs and ears rang with the sounds of gunfire and dying men. On the moors near Nijmegen, the rebel army of Louis of Nassau was being crushed. Escaping on foot through the heath would have been slow…
Sorry I’ve been missing lately! Professional work commitments have kept me busy – and then for the last week I’ve been waylaid by some sorta chest infection that’s still got me down. (In fact, I’m still living my best life…
As the morning sun filtered through the leaded glass windows of her chamber, Jonkvrouw Margaretha’s chambermaid delicately affixed her her mistress’ prized possession to her hat—a golden and enameled pin in the design of woman gazing upon her reflection. The…
Amidst the fields and densely-settled towns of early sixteenth century Flanders, a bustling city of 50,000 people brimmed with skilled artisans, meticulously weaving fabrics that adorned the courts of Europe. Ghent was a testament to the region’s preeminence in the…
Now for a bit about my favorite grouchy old guy from history: Dirck Volckertszoon Coornhert (1522-1590). Son of a merchant, scandalously married at seventeen to a woman twelve years his senior (whose sister, in turn, was a well-known kept mistress…
