Dat moet nog bekeken worden!

Did you know one of the finest Renaissance castles in Europe was located in the county of Hainault, Habsburg Netherlands. Designed by Jacques Dubrœucq in 1540, the Castle of Boussu was dubbed one of the grandest residences in 16th. Europe.

#QueenElizabethlI would have turned 100 today. Here she is with King Boudewijn of the Belgians leaving the car at the Royal Opera House, London (1963)

#OTD in 1736, Eugene de Savoye, considered one of the greatest military leaders of his age, died in Vienna. He also served as Regent of the Habsburg Netherlands, but was effectively an absent administrator and left daily politics in the hands of his First Minister.

Wie mij graag eens hoort spreken over keizer Karel V en zijn uitermate fascinerende leven, stuur gericht een PB!

That time when Charles the Bold, ruler of Burgundy and the Burgundian Netherlands (+1477), commissioned a golden hat decorated with pearls and diamonds.

#Lego is going Belgian and will release a Tintin moon rocket set! Pretty cool!

Roughly a month ago my biography of Emperor Charles V was published. The book became somewhat of a bestseller which made me so damn proud. Still touring the land to share my views on the most powerful man in 16th c. Europe. And I love every minute of it.

Hartelijk bedankt aan Bart Somers voor de gastvrijheid en de mogelijkheid om in het prachtige Predikheren mijn boek Karel V’ voor te stellen! Het was een zeer fijne avond daar in een van de mooiste bibliotheken van het land!

#OTD in 1427, Duke John IV of Brabant and Limburg died in Brussels. He succeeded his father Anthony who died during the Battle of Agincourt. He supported the foundation of the University of Leuven (1425) but had to hand over power to his brother Philip.

Uitstekende keuze :)

#OTD in 1520, a revolt in Castile kicked off against the rule of their king Charles. Given he was born and raised in the Low Countries he was considered a stranger who appointed strangers into high positions and raised high taxes.

#OTD in 1912, the Titanic sank killing roughly 1500 people. Various Belgians perished that night as well including Georges Krins, who was a member (violist) of the legendary band.

#OTD in 1960, King Philippe of the Belgians was born at Castle Belvédère. In 1993 he became Duke of Brabant was his father became king Albert II. In 2013 he became King of the Belgians after his father’s abdication.

#OTD in 1527, cartographer Abraham Ortelius was born in Antwerp. In 1570, his ‘Theatrum Orbis Terrarum’ was published which is recognised as the first modern atlas.

Bedankt!

Final call! Op 17 april presenteer ik in Mechelen mijn biografie van keizer Karel V, de man die er werd opgevoed, in het Predikheren. Toegang gratis mits inschrijven via info@salvator.be

#OTD in 1350, Margaret III, Countess of Flanders was born. She was the daughter of Louis II of Flanders, who she succeeded in 1384, and Margaret of Brabant. Her marriage to Philip the Bold, Duke of Burgundy would have a profound impact on European history.

Ook deze week blijft ‘Karel V’ netjes een bestseller want staat nog steeds te schitteren in de top 10 non-fictie :)

Cool ! A 16th c. design for the building of the Great Council of Mechelen by Rombout Keldermans has been shipped from Mechelen to the Met in New York to feature in an exhibition there. Photo: Sophie Nuytten

Opnieuw een fijne review over mijn boek ‘Karel V’ die circuleert :)

Tijdens een citytrip naar New York het bericht krijgen dat je boek nu op nummer 2 is de top 10 geschiedenis staat is altijd fijn.

#OTD in 1008, Notker of Liège died. In 971 he became bishop of Liège and in 987 received ‘worldly’ thus establishing the Prince-Bishopric of Liège, a state (in present day Belgium) that would exist till 1795.

#OTD in 1609, the Twelve Years’ Truce between Spain, the Habsburg Netherlands and the Dutch Republic was signed allowing. In the Habsburg Netherlands, the truce was used by its rulers Albert and Isabella to kickstart the economy again and led to an artistic rebirth.

#OTD in 1875, King Albert I of the Belgians was born at the palace of his father Philip, Count of Flanders. In 1909 he succeeded his uncle and would lead Belgium through #WWI

A touch of Belgium in New York City

#OTD in 1528, the Great Albrecht Dürer died. He was also fascinated by the Coudenberg Palace in Brussels and paid a visit to look at the gardens and treasures from the Americas.

#OTD in 1566, a large group of noblemen flocked to the Coudenberg Palace in Brussels to hand over a petition to Margaret of Parma, Regent of the Habsburg Netherlands. In the petition, they asked to soften the anti-protestant laws.

When the Great Council of Mechelen, the highest court in the Habsburg Netherlands, met, the Crown, Sword and Scepter were displayed under the coat of arms symbolising the judges dispensed justice in name of the Sovereign.

Did you know the Castle of Laken, residence of the King of the Belgians, was once owned by Napoleon who turned it into an Imperial Palace with custom made furniture (still being used).