History of the Netherlands

52 - Draining the Swamp Part 2: Too Drained, Too Furious Oct 14, 2024

Between the years 1000 and 1500 CE the soggy, sphagnum filled bog lands of the western Low Countries were terraformed to support human habitation and, as such, the seeds of future prosperity and hardships were simultaneously, albeit unknowingly, sown. Draining the swamp meant that land was created for agriculture, farming and settlement. This land was crisscrossed by waterways over which products both domestic and foreign could be moved on boats from the sea to the rivers and vice versa. Draining the swamp also meant that those lands sank, due to oxygen seeping into the pierced mass of moss and rotting the previously petrified peat within. People had to invent things like pumping mills to move water out of the swamp and stave off that waterlogged sinking feeling they had been experiencing. By the start of the 16th century, towns in the Low Countries had become important hubs of commercial shipping, with boats sailing from Northern Germany and beyond to the Baltic Sea, preferring to use the relatively calm and peaceful waters “inside the dunes” of Holland to reach markets in Flanders, as opposed to risking the open waters of the North Sea. Although water management required cooperation between the peoples of different towns, all of this economic activity also naturally created competition and rivalry between these towns, particularly in Holland, as they literally fought over their rights to do things like dig new canals, build new locks and charge tolls. It’s Draining the Swamp Part II: Too Drained, Too Furious.

With thanks to Fredrik, Kelly Magee, Laura Isräels, Kevin Bertram and Lars for their Patreon support.

SHOW NOTES: https://www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/historyofthenetherlands/episode-52-draining-the-swamp-part-2-too-drained-too-furious

PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/historyofthenetherlands

TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/historyofNL

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BONUS: Getting to Know The American Netherlander Aug 05, 2024

We chat with comedian and author Greg Shapiro a.k.a. The American Netherlander a.k.a. the voice of Donald Trump in the "America First, the Netherlands Second" video. Greg shares with us his uniquely American insight into the Netherlands' history and culture, especially as to how it relates to the United States, how the two cultures can learn from each other, and how kids books differ between the two countries.

You can find Greg Shaprio's tour dates at https://gregshapiro.nl/greg-shapiro-upcoming-comedy-shows/

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BONUS: Not Rembrandt Jun 03, 2024

They both lived during the Dutch Golden Age, grew up in Leiden, were taught by the same painter, shared a studio, received all the praise, and painted the rulers of their time. And yet, Jan Lievens is not as famous today as his friend Rembrandt.

In this episode of The Low Countries Radio, we reconstruct the lives and works of these two giants of art, showing how trends and the zeitgeist can drive or hinder an artist's career, but how their legacy is bound to the whims of fate and fortune.

Do you want to know more about Flemish and Dutch history and culture? Visit www.the-low-countries.com.

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51 - The Lion and the Letter-Cutter Jan 23, 2024

In the 1440s a goldsmith from Mainz called Johannes Gutenberg developed a movable type printing press which catalysed the European printing revolution. It heralded a technological leap in communication tools which had far reaching consequences for the societies of the Low Countries, particularly in urban centres where print shops were established. A large market for books already existed in the Low Countries, in no small part because of the existence of Common Life schools and subsequent high rates of general literacy. With the copying and widespread distribution of texts becoming so much quicker and easier, other fields of work began to shift and develop, as different skills and networks were needed to smoothly bring content to the public. In this episode we are going to first take a look at what a 15th century printing workshop might have been like, before meeting some of the pioneers who would pull the printing presses and perfect the processes pertaining to the profitable publication of pamphlets, prayer books and other pre-16th century paper imprinted particularities.

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BONUS: Simon Gronowski's escape from the 20th Convoy Dec 27, 2023

We meet Simon Gronowski, a 92 year old jazz pianist, lawyer and Holocaust survivor. At the age of eleven, Simon was locked in a cattle wagon with his mother and around 50 other people after a month’s imprisonment at the Dossin Barracks in Mechelen for the crime of being Jewish. The train they had been herded onto was bound for the extermination camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the 20th such mass deportation of Jews from Belgium. But this train trip would be unique in world war two. The 20th convoy became the only deportation train in the entire continent which was attacked and stopped by resistance fighters, allowing around a hundred people to escape. Simon Gronowski was one of these people and it is his story that we are going to explore in today’s episode.

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BONUS: Reformation in the Low Countries with Christine Kooi Nov 20, 2023

We chat with author and academic Christine Kooi, whose book Reformation in the Low Countries 1500-1620 was released last year by Cambridge University Press. As its title suggests the book encompasses a vast and tumultuous period which served to greatly shape the modern nations of Belgium and the Netherlands. It is a sweeping and extremely useful narrative and we are lucky enough today to have Christine join us online from her home in the US to help us unpack it.

Do you want to know more about Flemish and Dutch history and culture? Visit www.the-low-countries.com.

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BONUS: Tulips: the Myths, the Mania and the Man. Oct 10, 2023

We dig up the bulbs of the past, trim the stems of historical myth and hopefully emerge with a lustrous vase of understanding as to where the tulip came from, how it became infectiously vogue in the Dutch Republic and what place it holds in modern calculations of economics.

Do you want to know more about Flemish and Dutch history and culture? Visit www.the-low-countries.com.

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BONUS: The Best Possible War Sep 18, 2023

Long time listeners will be aware that, alongside being passionate about the history of our boggy swamp, we also carry a deep love for the game of cricket. The venn-diagram intersection between those two things can often leave a lot to be desired. However, somehow Julian Smith, our intrepid co-creator, producer and frequent voice of excitement in the background, managed to find a small but wondrous plot of podcasting turf from which to tell an amazing story about cricket being played in the Netherlands during World War One. This opportunity came on one of our all-time favourite podcasts, called The Final Word, which is a cricket-themed podcast that delves deeply into the many fascinating stories that abound through the long history of the game. So in this small piece, you will hear the two Final Word podcast hosts, Adam and Geoff, talking with Julian, who unravels the story for us. You do not need to know anything about or have any interest in cricket to enjoy this story, which we hope you do.

Thanks a lot to Adam Collins and Geoff Lemon for having Julian on the show.

You can find The Final Word here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-final-word-cricket-podcast/id1315888074

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50 - The Granddaddy of Netherlandish Humanism Sep 04, 2023

At the end of episode 49, we said that we were going to move away from the political part of the story of the History of the Netherlands for a while to instead focus on some of the other important societal developments that were happening concurrently at the end of the 15th and beginning of the 16th centuries. To be honest, perhaps it is because we have taken quite a long break, or maybe because of the change of direction we want to make now, but we have found it rather difficult to write this episode. The 16th century saw so many radical developments in such a vast variety of subjects that the prospect of somehow covering this all in a satisfactory way in this podcast without being forever consumed by it is, to put it lightly, daunting, bordering on overwhelming. So bear with us over the next few episodes as we, in our typical way, blithely set off in a new direction and attempt to lay foundations to explain how a new zeitgeist of education and learning that had originated in the Italian peninsula in the 14th century, took hold in the Low Countries in the 15th. As usual, it is not possible nor is it our intention to cover every single facet of every single topic which we bring up in this podcast, so please don’t be too disappointed if we fail to bring up your favourite 15th/16th century Renaissance humanist. Cool? Alright. Let’s go.

With thanks to Bill Weedman, Liran Braverman, Dennis van Heeren, Johan Verbeek and Egbert for their Patreon support.

SHOW NOTES: https://www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/historyofthenetherlands/episode-50-the-granddaddy-of-netherlandish-humanism

PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/historyofthenetherlands

TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/historyofNL

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BONUS: Protests movements in the Low Countries Jun 19, 2023

Just as much as Dutch and Flemish culture today have been defined by their ability to seek consensus through compromise, so too have they defined by a willingness to angrily, and often violently, take to the streets in order to be heard. In this episode of The Low Countries Radio we will take a look at some of the major and minor protest movements that have occurred across the Low Countries which have helped shape them into the places they are today.

Featured in this podcast: the Eel Riots of 1886, the Leuven Student Revolt of 1968, the Coronation Riots of 1980 and the White March of 1996.

Do you want to know more about Flemish and Dutch history and culture? Visit www.the-low-countries.com.

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BONUS: Sacrificial Pigs, Sexy Chickens and Scary Shipworms: Animals of the Low Countries Apr 11, 2023

What do black chickens have to do with witchcraft? Why were pigs not allowed to walk the streets freely in the Middle Ages? And should we welcome the return of the wolf or not? You'll hear the answers in this podcast on the history of animals in the Low Countries.

We have long imposed our personal whims on other animals. We use them for labour or sport. We give them symbolic meaning, assigning them divine significance and power. Or we groom them and breed them to eat.

For thousands of years, our relationship with animals has been an integral part of how we and our world have evolved. In the Low Countries, this is a journey from the ancient times of hunter-fisher communities to the early days of animal husbandry, through centuries of urbanisation, warfare, massive floods and land reclamation. All have had a drastic impact on animal life in the region.

In this podcast, we discuss some animals that roamed or still roam in the Low Countries. We will see how the relationship between humans and animals has helped shape local societies and cultures, and how, over the millennia, we have exterminated some animals and invited others into our homes, but also unintentionally had some as very unwelcome guests.

Starring in this podcast: reindeer, cows, chickens, pigs, shipworms, badgers, beavers and wolves.

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BONUS: A Traumatic Relationship with Water Feb 20, 2023

When the Netherlands and Belgium did not exist, people spoke of the Low Countries when referring to the area around the river deltas. Water has always played an essential role in the history of that region.

For centuries, living on these waterlogged lands provided the Dutch and the Flemings with opportunities for trade, urbanisation, agriculture and much more. But it also meant that they lived under the constant threat of devastating and deadly floods.

In this podcast, we discover how the Low Countries, after centuries of battling floods, have gradually learnt to treat water as an ally and a part of the cultural identity of its inhabitants.

Do you want to know more about Flemish and Dutch history and culture? Visit www.the-low-countries.com.

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49 - The Willing Bride Feb 06, 2023

The double marriage between the Habsburg and Spanish dynasties organised in the creation of the Holy League in 1495 was part of a larger plan driven by the Spanish monarchs to create a general European-wide alliance against the French. To further these aims, Ferdinand and Isabella also arranged for their other children to marry into the Portuguese and English royal families as well. Such good family planning, however, was not to yield anywhere near the results that Ferdinand and Isabella sought. In this episode we will track the tumultuous journeys leading up to the weddings which brought Spain and the Low Countries together, the devastating repercussions the Spanish monarchs’ religiosity would have for the Jews of the Iberian peninsula, as well as a series of untimely deaths which would see the Spanish succession repeatedly shuffle down the line. When the music stopped in this dynastic game of musical chairs, Philip the Handsome and Joanna of Castile’s five month old baby son, Charles, would found himself perched on the stool which held possession of a ridiculous amount of Spanish, Imperial and Burgundian titles, all of which would eventually make him the most powerful person in Europe.

With thanks to Mary Teresa Howell, ericb3234, Bill van Loo, Wazdr and Roni Rivera for their Patreon support.

SHOW NOTES: https://www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/historyofthenetherlands/episode-49-the-willing-bride

PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/historyofthenetherlands

TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/historyofNL

Lyrics to “Ball of the Burning Men” by Exchanger

Verse 1

Tonight we celebrate, for some maid of the court

Will bind herself to man, for the second time, the young tart

Tonight we humiliate, have fun, eat well, be drunk, make noise

As the tradition dictates, for the twice wed goose

Chorus

The king rules surrounded by fools

They came to the feast in the guise of a beast

Madness reigns as they’re bound in chains

Let the dames shield you from the flames

It’s the Ball of the Burning Men !

Verse 2

The almighty Church frowns upon these pagan rites

They might be kingmakers but did they really think they could change our ways ?

We will pray to the One God and chant with the priests at dawn

But we’ll still dance past the noon and sing the old tunes

Verse 3

Lights out, foul creatures burst into the room suddenly

Exotic monsters to amuse, really the king’s bunch in disguise

Some lesser count has devised this brilliant surprise

Dancers covered in pitch and feathers, which come alight so easily

And so the guessing game begins, among them hides our king

Under which of these grotesque suits is our crown ?

His brother in the crowd can’t wait to find out

Can’t help himself to break the one rule - No fire inside !

For lack of light he grabs a flame - No. Fire. Inside!! No!

Chorus

The king rules surrounded by fools

They came to the feast in the guise of a beast

Madness reigns as they’re bound in chains

Let the dames shield you from the flames

It’s the Ball of the Burning Men !

The king rules surrounded by fools

They came to the feast in the guise of a beast

Madness reigns as they’re bound in chains

Let the dames shield you from the flames

It’s the Ball of the Burning Men !

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48 - Holy League, Holy Matrimony Jan 23, 2023

When French king Charles VIII laid claims to the Kingdom of Naples and invaded Italy in September, 1494, an anti-French coalition called the League of Venice was formed, with the aim of kicking France out of the Italian peninsula. “Hang on a second, what does this have to do with the Netherlands?”, I hear you ask. Bear with me here. The League of Venice included a bunch of Italian city-states and regional powers, including the Pope Alexander VI, as well as our friend Emperor Maximilian and the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon. To help cement this anti-French alliance between Spain and the Habsburgs, a double marriage was arranged which would see Maximilian’s children marry the children of the Spanish monarchs Isabella and Ferdinand.

With thanks toLucca Breccia, Bryan Winter, Kelsey Murphy,Spencer Deinum andCraig S Tylefor their Patreon support.

SHOW NOTES: https://www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/historyofthenetherlands/episode-48-holy-league-holy-matrimony

PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/historyofthenetherlands

TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/historyofNL

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47 - Philip Croit-Conseil Jan 09, 2023

When Philip the Handsome came of age and took over direct rule of the previously Burgundian, now Habsburg, territories of the Low Countries in September, 1494, his accession marked the first time since the death of Charles the Bold in 1477 that a native and natural born male prince had filled that position. The last twenty odd years of crises had bled his lands and peoples dry physically, mentally and financially. Across the board of those societies people were desperate for a period of prolonged peace. Despite this, there were still a couple of major issues which were lingering and which, if dealt with improperly, could lead to another outbreak of war. These were the situation in Guelders, whereby Maximilian and Charles of Egmont were both walking around saying “I am the Duke of Guelders”, as well as a good old fashioned conspiracy in which Margaret of York and Maximilian both pointed to a random Flemish dude and said “He is the king of England”, resulting in a mutually detrimental trade conflict between England and the Habsburg Low Countries. Philip’s first great test as Duke of Burgundy would be discerning between the interests of his lands and subjects and those of his ever ambitious father.

With thanks to Damien Sherman, Daniel D Tifft, Néstor Vázquez Bernat, Reinier van Mourik and C for their Patreon support.

SHOW NOTES: https://www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/historyofthenetherlands/episode-47-philip-croit-conseil

PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/historyofthenetherlands

TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/historyofNL

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BONUS: Trailblazing Women from the Low Countries Nov 21, 2022

Throughout the history of the Low Countries, people from this part of the world have been pioneers in almost every sense of the word. Whether by seeking out and charting far away lands during the European Age of Exploration, or in advancements made in science, technology and engineering, or through their approach to social issues such as drugs or euthanasia, the inhabitants of the Low Countries have been breaking new ground almost as enthusiastically as they’ve been… making… new ground. Despite making up over 50% of the population, the fundamental role which women have played in the development and progress of Low Country societies has often been neglected in historical accounts. It is well beyond the scope of this podcast to give an entire history of women and feminism in the Low Countries, but in this episode of the Low Countries Radio we are going to pay homage to some of the female pioneers from our beloved little swamp. We will take a look at five women who ventured forth where few before them had dared, or been allowed, to go, shining a light into the darkness and paving pathways for future generations of women and girls to follow them down.

Do you want to know more about Flemish and Dutch history and culture? Visit www.the-low-countries.com.

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46 - The Treaty of Senlis Oct 24, 2022

In March 1492, the town burghers and knights of Guelders hailed Charles of Egmont as their duke, beginning a four decade period of bitter, contested conflict with the Habsburg Burgundian state. That’s right, just as the revolts in Flanders came to an end with the surrender of Sluis, the football of violent defiance was handballed from Flanders to Guelders. But across most of the Low Countries, a period of relative calm would ensue, as the prins naturel of Burgundy, Philip the Handsome, was now 14 years old and would soon come to rule in his own right, deflating the angst people had at being governed by a foreign prince for the past 15 years. The final siren on this era of instability was blown on May 23, 1493, with the signing of the Treaty of Senlis between Charles VIII and Maximilian. This treaty released Margaret of Austria from captivity in France and saw the counties of Artois, Burgundy and Charolais returned to team Habsburg. Not long after Senlis, Emperor Frederick III would die, essentially elevating Maximilian to that role. The times they were a-changin’, which is basically what all times do. And these were certainly times.

With thanks to John Bronkhorst, Claire Hamilton Russell, Dita Vyslouzilova, Shelley U and Jude Espiritu for their Patreon support.

PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/historyofthenetherlands

TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/historyofNL

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BONUS: The Ninth Art: Flipping through the pages of comic history in the Low Countries Sep 19, 2022

We flip through the pages of comic history in the Low Countries; from the use of illustrated prints from as early as the 15th century to the position of comic studios in Belgium and the Netherlands during the Second World War. You’ll hear about some titles that you may never have heard of, as well as many that you smurf. While we peruse the panels of printed production from the Low Countries, we’ll see how the ninth art has developed, constantly reflecting the ever changing societies in the region.

Do you want to know more about Flemish and Dutch history and culture? Visit www.the-low-countries.com.

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BONUS: Tall Buildings in Low Places: Architecture in the Low Countries Aug 01, 2022

We get out the drawing board, put on a hard hat and clamber up a scaffold of creative construction, so that we may cast our view on a few of the most striking, unique or just plain weird buildings that can be found in Belgium and the Netherlands and explore some of the schools of thought that have come to influence architecture in our beloved little swamp.

Do you want to know more about Flemish and Dutch history and culture? Visit www.the-low-countries.com.

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The Unfortunate Voyage of the Batavia: E09: Dividends Jul 25, 2022

What was that crazy story that we just told? How much of it really happened? What does it all mean for our understanding of rebellion and resistance, and for how we perceive the role of defiance in events that have come before us? We explore all of this in the final episode of our series: The Unfortunate Voyage of the Batavia.

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The Unfortunate Voyage of the Batavia: E08: Living off the Law of the Land Jul 22, 2022

The VOC is back! Three and a half months after Commander Pelsaert abandoned everybody to a life a brutality and thirst, finally those who have managed to survived may just be rescued. But who of the mutineers and the defenders will be able to tell their story first? How will the VOC react to the utter madness that has taken place on these islands? This episode tackles all this and more.

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The Unfortunate Voyage of the Batavia: E07: Terra Hayesia Jul 18, 2022

In the history of European military aggression in Australia, this is where it all began. Of the people that remain alive following the doomed voyage of the Batavia, not to mention the shipwreck and then the genocide that followed, they now have to face a civil war.

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The Unfortunate Voyage of the Batavia: E06: Bloody Oath Jul 15, 2022

Upper Merchant Francisco Pelsaert, Captain Arjen Jacobsz and about 40 other people are sailing in a longboat north along the immense coast of Het Zuidland. They're on a rescue mission to the fort at Batavia, 3000kms north of where the ship Batavia has sunk at Houtman's Abrolhos. Unfortunately, they won't be able to rescue as many people as they would like, because Jeronimus Cornelisz is about to go on a rampage of murder, sex slavery, and pretty much every other horrible thing you can think of. Batavia's Graveyard, July 1629, is one of those places in history that you would never, ever want to find yourself.

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The Unfortunate Voyage of the Batavia: E05: Jewels and Money First Jul 11, 2022

As all hell breaks loose aboard the sinking ship Batavia, saving the lives of crew and passengers aboard may not be the most important priority. In this episode, we look at how authority handles the most unique and unprecedented circumstances, stuck on a craggy island with little hope for rescue and even less hope for a cup of water.

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The Unfortunate Voyage of the Batavia: E04: “Keep Your Eyes Open” Jul 08, 2022

It should be fairly smooth sailing from here on for the Batavia... Were it not for the small matters of a brewing mutiny amidst the crew, divisions and distractions amongst the leaders of the ship and the impending doom that lays ahead, unbeknownst to them all, they may stand a chance... (they don't stand a chance.)

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SWAPCAST: History Daily Jul 07, 2022

In the true Dutch mercantile spirit of trade and exchange, after having History of the Netherlands featured on History Daily, today we have handed over the wheel to Lindsay Graham to steer the ship for this episode.

History Daily runs a tight ship, each episode being around 20 minutes long meaning they’re easy to digest while you are cycling from a windmill to the local clog factory, gazing at rolling clumps of beautiful sphagnum and nibbling away on some cheese. In fact they’re so easily digestible that we’ve ordered two rounds which we think generally fit the vibe of History of the Netherlands.

The first episode you will hear is the story of the Antwerp Diamond Heist which happened on the 16th of February, 2003. This is an incredible yarn, fantastically told, that we think you will love. The second episode will be harkening way, way back to March 24, 1603; a date, which, for those following our podcast’s chronology, is actually still far, far into the future. This story is about the death of the English queen Elizabeth I. She will become an incredibly important figure in the shaping of the History of the Netherlands during its most tumultuous period, the late 16th century, even being formally offered sovereignty over the United Provinces after the assassination of William the Silent. Errr..spoiler alert..?

If you like what you hear, go check out History Daily wherever you get your podcasts. History Daily will help remind you each day that something incredible happened to make that day historic.

History Daily website: https://www.noiser.com/history-daily

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The Unfortunate Voyage of the Batavia: E03: Rites of Passage Jul 04, 2022

Life on board a ship in the 1600s was no joyous experience. In this episode, we look at what the crew, soldiers and passengers aboard the Batavia went through, as they made their way from the United Provinces to their first scheduled stop at the Cape of Good Hope: the southern tip of Africa.

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The Unfortunate Voyage of the Batavia: E02: The Price of Spice Jul 01, 2022

In an age when traditional European feudalism was breaking down, the United Provinces of the Netherlands chartered the world's first corporation. The VOC would become a major authority for thousands of people, all around the world. In this episode we explore why and how the company came into existence, and what that meant for those who were (un)lucky enough to have anything to do with it.

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The Unfortunate Voyage of the Batavia: E01: A "Scents" of the Past Jun 27, 2022

In October, 1628, a merchant ship called Batavia set sail from the Dutch republic bound for an island on the other side of the world called Java. She was the flagship of a fleet of vessels being sent by the richest corporation to ever exist and, along with extremely precious cargo, carried 341 men and women, including captain, sailors, soldiers, passengers, merchants, a minister and his family. Her voyage would end, however, on a jagged reef near a tiny set of islands off the Western Australian coast, and in the weeks that followed 110 men, women and children would be brutally murdered by a gang of bloodthirsty mutineers led by a psychopath who believed he could do no wrong since God himself inspired all his actions. In this first episode we take a look at the situation in the Netherlands and Amsterdam in the 1500s and early 1600s. With a focus on the sensory elements that are so often forgotten in the telling of history, we explore the world in which the rebellion on the Batavia took place; and discover what conditions existed that would foster such an unfathomable story as this one.

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45 - The Surrender of Sluis Jun 06, 2022

The final years of Philip of Cleves’ rebellion in Flanders saw the most famously fractious of Flemish cities, Ghent, flare into open revolt against Habsburg rule once again and rejoin the fight alongside him. Although Philip’s war against the ducal regime would ultimately come to an end in October, 1492, this last period of the conflict is made extra-complicated not only because of the interpersonal relationship between Philip and Maximilian, nor because of the ongoing conflict between the powerful cities and the ducal court, not to mention the economic woes brought on by decades of warfare, trade disruptions and the mass exodus of the citizenry from probably the most important trading centre of the Low Countries, Bruges, but also because of a succession struggle which was contemporaneously being waged between Maximilian and Charles VIII of France in the Duchy of Brittany. And since this distant, dynastic dance would have all sorts of repercussions for the more local goings on in the Low Countries, it makes sense to get it out of the way. So first, to Brittany!

With thanks to King Freret IX, Klaas Barends, Ilir Maçi, Zachary Studt and Filipos Amoiralis for their Patreon support.

PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/historyofthenetherlands

TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/historyofNL

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44 - Hunger, Bread and Cheese May 02, 2022

The weariness that comes from decades of instability, war, economic turmoil and hardship really began to exact its toll on the Low Countries in the early 1490s. The last of the Hook uprisings had been quashed in Holland, but there was no stability anywhere, especially as the last flames of the wider Flemish revolt still flickered in Ghent, Bruges and Sluis. Albert of Saxony and Engelbert of Nassau, ruling in place of the now absent Maximilian, were faced with the fearsome obstinacy of Philip of Cleves and, with the seas blockaded, people across the region were underfed and unable to work. In the summer and autumn of 1490, this would result in the desperate lower classes of Bruges erupting into violence against the ducal regime once more, whereas in far-north Holland a large group of very angry, very broke and very hungry farmers, workers and servants decided that enough was enough, and refused to pay the taxes that the ducal government was demanding so that they could keep paying for it all. Welcome to History of the Netherlands. Today, everyone is starving and everything is revolting.

With thanks to Laurens Hoek, Cynthia VanDyke, Enrique Gutierrez, James the Czech, and Jan Engelen for their Patreon support.

PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/historyofthenetherlands

TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/historyofNL

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43 - The Pirate Den of Sluis Apr 18, 2022

When the treaty of Montils-lez-Tours was signed on October 30, 1489, “peace” was formally arranged between the French, the Habsburg ducal government under Albert of Saxony in the Low Countries and the rebelling cities of Flanders. Despite this, Philip of Cleves and Albert of Saxony seem to have read the treaty in very different ways and could not agree with each other about what it actually meant. Also, Bruges and Ghent, still the two most powerful Flemish cities, were not quite ready to accept the peace either, meaning instead of a peace, the situation in Flanders could better be described as a stalemate. Albert of Saxony would try his best to fix the economy of Flanders, whilst Philip of Cleves, ensconced firmly within the town of Sluis, would do his best to wreck it, living every kid’s dream and becoming a pirate. This continuing unrest in Flanders would directly lead to an outburst of violence in Holland, where finally, after 150 years of on-again off-again conflict, the Hook and Cod wars would come to an end.

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With thanks to Petra, Clay Carroll, Pieter van de Glind, DENVER!!!!! and David Baird for their Patreon support.

PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/historyofthenetherlands

TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/historyofNL

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BONUS: The Gods Must Be Crazy! Spiritualism and Religion in the Low Countries Apr 05, 2022

We take a look at the growth and development of spirituality and religion in the Low Countries. From pagan tribalism to the rise and dominance of Catholicism, the arrival and growth of Judaism and Islam and their long term impacts in the Low Countries, the whirlwind of the reformation, and the institution of a Calvinist doctrine in the north and a continued Catholic tradition in the south. We will finish by looking at the state of religiosity and spiritualism in the Low Countries today. So say your prayers, folks, because if we are going to successfully tackle a topic as huge and potentially filled with controversy as this in without offending, well, everybody, it’s going to take an indomitably non-denominational miracle.

Do you want to know more about Flemish and Dutch history and culture? Visit www.the-low-countries.com.

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42 - Philip Cleaves, Maximilian Leaves Dec 13, 2021

On May 16, 1488, Maximilian of Habsburg secured his release after more than three months of involuntary isolation in Bruges when he agreed to the so-called “Peace of Bruges”. In this treaty, he was essentially forced by the rebellious cities of Flanders to agree to a bunch of terms and conditions which stripped him of sovereignty over that territory. All by his own free will, of course. Hostages were taken by Bruges in exchange for Maximilian to make sure that he stayed true to his word. These included, most importantly, Philip of Cleves, who made a great, solemn and public oath, in which he swore to defend the Flemish cities against anybody who would break the peace, meaning, Maximilian. Well, within two weeks, this peace had been broken, and Philip of Cleves found himself leading an army of aggrieved Flems against an equally aggrieved imperial army. After a string of initial successes, including withstanding a siege by the imperial army at Ghent and Maximilian’s departure from the Low Countries to go and deal with problems in Austria, things were looking up for the Flemish. But, in July 1489, some shrewd international politicking, saw Maximilian definitively cut the Flemish off from the succour of their most important ally, Charles VIII, the King of France. The Flemish and Philip of Cleves, would be left to withstand the wrath of the empire, together alone while Maximilian would finish up his direct rule of the realm in much the same manner as it had begun, in utter turmoil.

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With thanks to James Koury, Gerard Jan Gerritsen, Justin Knol, Bart and Arno van Mourik for their Patreon support.

PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/historyofthenetherlands

TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/historyofNL

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BONUS: Ready… Set... Go! Sports From the Low Countries Nov 30, 2021

In this episode of The Low Countries Radio, we are going to delve into some of the sports that have developed in, or been adopted by and grown in, Belgium and the Netherlands.

We will hear about people who listen intently to birds in little boxes while they keep track of their calls on a big long stick, others who jump over canals using a big long stick, as well as a bunch of people skating the famous Elfstedentocht and smashing a very hard ball across a field using their hands.

So saddle up, wait for the starting gun...on your mark. Ready... set...go!

Do you want to know more about Flemish and Dutch history and culture? Visit www.the-low-countries.com.

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41 - In Bruges Oct 25, 2021

By the summer of 1485, Maximilian of Habsburg had quashed the first major revolt against his rule and regained control over Flanders, in the name of his young son Philip. He then set off for Germany to become King of the Romans, leaving the administration of his realms in the hands of an interim government. When he returned to the Low Countries in the middle of 1486, Maximilian decided that the best thing to do would be to drain the purses of his subjects, again, and go on a campaign against France. This failed miserably, once again inciting rebellious intent, particularly in Ghent and Bruges. Trying to keep control over the estates, Maximilian called for the States General to assemble in Bruges in early 1488. However, when he arrived prior to this and tried to get his mercenary soldiers into the city, the workers guilds rose up against him, locked the gates and made the new King of the Romans an involuntary guest in Bruges.

With thanks to Chuck Thieler, Thomas A Elliott, Britt Nibbering, Christopher Paxton and Johan Verbeek for their Patreon support.

PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/historyofthenetherlands

TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/historyofNL

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BONUS: Myths and Legends of the Low Countries Aug 18, 2021

The Low Countries have long held mystery and intrigue for people around the world. Over thousands of years, innumerable myths and legends have sprung out of this small corner of Europe, while many more have been created by bemused foreigners looking in from outside. There is a unique quality to this busy, little, misty swampland that has long allowed imaginations to run wild and fantasy to be embraced in the forms of stories, songs, jokes and activities. In this episode of the Low Countries Radio, we are going to explore some of the folk tales from the Low Countries. As such, we will encounter giants, magical horses, elven knights and, yes, even a boy putting his finger in a dyke to prevent a flood. So let’s go live in fantasy and wind our way through the deep, dark forest where myths and legends lay, lurking in the shadows, waiting for us.

Do you want to know more about Flemish and Dutch history and culture? Visit www.the-low-countries.com.

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40 - The Rhyme and Unreason of Treason Jul 19, 2021

After being forced to sign the Treaty of Arras in late 1482, Maximilian of Habsburg found his authority in Flanders challenged by a group of powerful nobles and patrician merchants from the big cities of Ghent, Bruges and Ypres. Using their social, economic and political clout, as well as the physical possession of Maximilian’s children, an alternative government was set up in Flanders in the form of a regency council, allied to the French king. But when Louis XI died in 1483, and the rest of the Low Countries decided they preferred Maximilian to the Flemish, the course was, once again, set for full scale revolt, open warfare and Flemish cities fighting against the man who claimed the right to rule them. Welcome back to your favourite podcast, the History of Flemish revolts.

With thanks to Bart van Leeuwen, Churchill Moulder, Sander van Hooff, B. Roberts and Tina Forbush for their Patreon support.

PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/historyofthenetherlands

TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/historyofNL

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BONUS: Inventions and Discoveries through the Medium of... Captain Planet! May 18, 2021

The Low Countries have long been a metaphorical petri dish of social and technological advancements in Europe. As such, the list of Dutch and Flemish inventions, innovations and discoveries is long and broad-reaching indeed. In this episode, we intend on doing an exploration of our own into the history of some of the intellectual leaps which sprang forth from this soggy corner of Europe and spread far and wide across the globe. Since there is such a vast array of things to choose from, we decided that we would need some kind of framing device to help give this story a bit of order. Just rattling off a long list of names, objects, or scientific theorems would not make for a very compelling narrative. And creating a top 5 or top 10 list would be a bit too ‘Buzzfeed’ for our tastes. So instead, we have decided to shuffle completely out of the box and turn to one of the greatest TV shows of the 1990s, Captain Planet and the Planeteers, to help us structure the stories of Low Country inventions and discoveries because, well, why not? So let's delve into the wonderful world of inventions and discoveries in the Low Countries, looking at some world-changing innovations through the categories of...Earth! Fire! Wind! Water! Heart!

Do you want to know more about Flemish and Dutch history and culture? Visit www.the-low-countries.com.

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39 - The Wild Boar and the Dung Wagon Apr 19, 2021

After the death of Mary of Burgundy in March 1482, the Low Countries were thrust into a period of turmoil the likes of which they had not seen for around... five whole years. The reigning sovereign was dead and her heir, Philip, was not even four years old. In Flanders, the estates and particularly the city of Ghent, successfully set a course of obstruction against Maximilian, defying his attempts to hold the regency for his young son and stopping him from continuing waging war against France. Because of this, Maximilian was backed into a corner and forced to sign the embarrassing Treaty of Arras with the French king Louis XI in late 1482. One of the consequences of this was that Louis withdrew the support he had been giving to destabilising elements across the Burgundian realm. Although the defiance of Flanders had thwarted Maximilian’s plans against France, stopping the war also allowed him to put more energy into negating the prickly thorns of defiance that had risen in Liege and Utrecht. Within this context, the two most powerful bishops in the Low Countries would face some difficult between 1482 and 1483. One of them would be stabbed in the face and his body dumped in a river, while the other would find himself being taken prisoner and hauled off in a fertiliser cart to Amersfoort, literally sitting in a pile of poo.

With thanks to Rufus, Rosa, Curtis ver Mulm, Aidan Gort and Oscar KC for their Patreon support.

SHOW NOTES: https://www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/historyofthenetherlands/episode-39-the-wild-boar-and-the-dung-wagon

PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/historyofthenetherlands

TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/historyofNL

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38 - The First Cracks in the Reign of Max Mar 08, 2021

Upon marrying Mary of Burgundy in August 1477, the first thing Maximilian of Habsburg had to do was focus on stopping the French invasion of the Burgundian territories. This was, after all, the main reason why their union had been accepted by the various power bases of the Low Countries, most notably the States General. War requires money, of course, and Maximilian didn’t really have any. Due to the constraints of the Great Privilege, he was limited in what options he had to get some, so his first recourse was to do what Flemish counts and Burgundian dukes had done forever and demand cash from the Flemish estates, which he did almost immediately after getting hitched. At first they were happy to cooperate, but when he attempted to roll back the rights gained by the Great Privilege, discontent grew and Maximilian found himself exposed to the ire of, you’ll never guess where, Ghent. The conflict with France dragged on and Maximilian found himself embroiled in factional squabbling and uprisings closer to home in Guelders, Holland and Utrecht, as well as within the court. All of this meant that, when Mary of Burgundy unexpectedly died in March, 1482, conditions inside the pressure cooker which was the Low Countries were once again primed to blow the lid right off.

With thanks to Eelco, LadyNieske, Vincent Kastelein, Zachary Dussault and Gerard-Jan Gerritsen for their Patreon support.

SHOW NOTES: http://www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/historyofthenetherlands/episode-38-the-first-cracks-in-the-reign-of-max

PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/historyofthenetherlands

TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/historyofNL

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37 - Mary Marries Maxi Feb 22, 2021

The eruption of violence across the Low Countries in March and April of 1477 led to Mary of Burgundy effectively being in the custody of the city of Ghent. Although the rebellious citizens of Ghent had taken lethal retribution for what they saw as the crimes of the previous administration, they had done nothing to solve the most pressing issue facing the Low Countries. This was, en fait, the marauding French army. Despite the signing of the Great Privilege, in the chaos of the invasion and uprisings, some territories, such as Guelders and Liège, proclaimed independence, some had alternative suggestions for succession and it seemed a real possibility that all of the Low Countries might just be eaten up by Louis XI. Everybody knew that it was necessary to get the much-harried Duchess Mary married, but the question was - to whom? Louis XI had offered up his son the dauphin, Charles the Bold and the Emperor had already arranged her betrothal to Maximilian of Habsburg and now the emboldened city of Ghent decided to throw another name in the mix - Adolph, the once again Duke of the once again independent Guelders. But in the end, after much correspondence with Margaret of York and an extremely slow journey down the Rhine, it was to Maximilian of Habsburg, Archduke of Austria, that Mary was eventually married on the 19th of August, 1477. It was an event which would intimately bind the Low Countries to one of Europe’s most long-lasting dynasties.

With thanks to Nicholas Bargeman, Stephen Matthis, Joost Uitdehaag, Gary Greenhalgh and MJ Knoester for their Patreon support.

SHOW NOTES: http://www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/historyofthenetherlands/episode-37-mary-marries-maxi

PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/historyofthenetherlands

TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/historyofNL

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BONUS: A Discussion on the Diverse Dialectal Diaspora of Double Dutch Discourse Feb 08, 2021

The Dutch language and its extended influence can be found on every continent. In this special, we explore where the Dutch language came from and look at how the history of migration into the Low Countries impacted its development. On top of that, we take a look at how the Dutch language has not only shaped other languages, but also, through colonialism, has imprinted itself into the cultural and geographical landscapes of the world. That’s right, in this episode of The Low Countries Radio you are going to listen to an Australian do his best to explain Dutch. Geweldig!

Do you want to know more about Flemish and Dutch history and culture? Visit www.the-low-countries.com.

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Free and Fearless: E03: Execution and Escape Feb 05, 2021

On 5 February, 1943, thirteen of the twenty-three defendants from the First Parool Trial were given paper and pens and told to write farewell letters to their families. Hours later, they were executed by firing squad. But the ringleader of the group, Frans Goedhart, was able to win a temporary reprieve and over the next few months undertook various attempts to escape from Vught concentration camp. But would luck be on his side?

Show notes: https://www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/free-and-fearless/episode-3-execution-and-escape-zkljh

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Free and Fearless: E02: The Process Feb 05, 2021

After the botched arrest of Arie Addicks in September 1941, the Addicks group was firmly in the sights of the authorities. Over the course of four months, a series of arrests would take place across the Netherlands, from the streets of Amsterdam to a freezing beach in Scheveningen, which would end with twenty-three people being charged with crimes against the state. But would these freedom fighters survive some of the Netherlands’ most infamous concentration camps?

Show notes: https://www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/free-and-fearless/episode-2-the-process-n72an

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Free and Fearless: E01: The Addicks Group Feb 05, 2021

After the invasion of the Netherlands in May 1940, a group of men from a disbanded socialist youth group called the AJC, came together to fight back against the new Nazi regime. The young members of the so-called “Addicks Group” joined forces with journalist and activist Frans Goedhart and became active in creating and distributing the illegal anti-Nazi newspaper Het Parool. But their activities would soon put themselves and their loved ones in mortal peril.

Show notes: https://www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/free-and-fearless/episode-1-the-addicks-group-7wnm3

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36 - The Great Privilege Jan 25, 2021

Charles the Bold’s death at the beginning of 1477 set off a political tsunami which crashed over the Low Countries, like a rising tide from the North Sea, sweeping away the old structures and drowning those too slow to react. Unlike today, where information is transmitted around the world at nearly the speed of light, in 1477 it took awhile for the news to break and for the reality of the situation to be revealed to all parties. For those in the Low Countries, they were like the people you see in a grainy holiday film, standing on a tropical beach, looking out at the horizon as the water recedes far beyond where it normally goes, looking at the fishing boats beached on the sand, scratching their heads thinking, “this is weird, what’s happening?”, all-the-while being completely unaware of the devastating wave that was barrelling towards them, already too late to escape from the destruction it would bring. That devastation would include imminent attack by France, popular revolts in numerous cities, the forced acceptance of a whole new constitution for the Burgundian state and the beheadings of two of the most powerful people in the Burgundian governing apparatus.

With thanks to David Kingman, Jason Scott, Jan-Jelle Witte and Ryan de Boer for their Patreon support.

SHOW NOTES: https://www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/historyofthenetherlands/episode-36-the-great-privilege

PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/historyofthenetherlands

TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/historyofNL

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35 - Mary and Margaret Dec 28, 2020

As Charles the Bold spent the final years of his life campaigning, two women became integral parts of Burgundian society and politics - his daughter, Mary of Burgundy, and his wife, Margaret of York. Mary, whose mother Isabella of Bourbon died when she was young, is often portrayed as little more than a pawn in her father’s machinations. Those machinations sent him to an icy demise when Mary was just nineteen years old, however, and she was thrust into the centre of the political upheavals which rocked the Low Countries. But Mary did not face this turmoil alone, because in 1468 her father had married Margaret of York, an English princess who directly linked the political tumult of England during the War of the Roses, with that of Burgundy. These two, step-mother and step-daughter, formed a particular bond which they would need to rely on after Charles’ death in order to protect the Burgundian state from the threats it faced. In this episode we are going to rewind-in-time a little and explore the lives, characters, connections and actions of Mary of Burgundy and Margaret of York before Charles the Bold’s death.

With thanks to Tom Eames, Martha Droge, Frank Kooger, Freek van der Hagen and Marc de Kool for their Patreon support.

SHOW NOTES: https://www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/historyofthenetherlands/episode-35-mary-and-margaret

PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/historyofthenetherlands

TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/historyofNL

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BONUS: Additional Traditional Edition Dec 14, 2020

Why do the Dutch hang school bags on flagpoles, place giant blow-up dolls on their front lawn and have clocks without numbers in their pubs? And why do the Flemings celebrate newborns by eating ‘poop beans’? In this podcast, we are delving into some of the unique and peculiar customs, social norms and rituals of Flanders and the Netherlands and see the different ways in which these traditions have evolved over time. We follow the trajectory of traditions a typical life would encounter, from the cradle to the grave.

Do you want to know more about Flemish and Dutch history and culture? Visit www.the-low-countries.com.

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BONUS: Dark Chocolate: Amsterdam, Slavery and Chocolate Nov 30, 2020

This is a special episode we were invited to make by Tony's Chocolonely, an Amsterdam-based chocolate company which is on a mission to eradicate modern slavery and make 100% slave-free the norm in chocolate.

Earlier this year, the Chief Chocolate Officer of Tony's Chocolonely, Henk Jan Beltman, was arrested for spray painting a Black Lives Matter slogan next to a statue of one of the most notorious Dutch colonial figures, Jan Pieterszoon Coen.

The statue stands on the corner of the Beurs van Berlage, an iconic building in the centre of Amsterdam, and one in which Tony's Chocolonely have set up shop today. When speaking to the media after being released without charge, Beltman said "Jan Pieterzoon Coen was one of the largest slave traders in our history, which must be indicated with such a statue. We cannot rewrite history and I am normally not fond of graffiti, but with this action I hope to keep the social debate going.”

To this end, Tony's approached us and asked us to create a podcast for their staff which would help them better understand the historic connections Amsterdam has with both the chocolate industry and the slave trade. Amsterdam is a city which has been involved in the cocoa trade and chocolate production almost since the bean’s first introduction into Europe. It is in Amsterdam that the history of modern economics, slavery and chocolate intersect.

Thanks to Belinda at Team Tony's for her help in creating this project.

Show notes: https://www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/historyofthenetherlands/bonus-dark-chocolate-amsterdam-slavery-and-chocolate

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34 - Returned to a Dream (An Unfancy Death at Nancy) Nov 16, 2020

The final two years of Charles the Bold’s life would see him achieve one of his life’s ambitions, uniting his northern and southern domains as one continuous territory, before suffering a hat-trick of defeats at the hands of the Swiss, which would leave him unrecognisably dead, naked and half-eaten in a frozen pool of water. Having come to peace terms with the Emperor when abandoning the siege of Neuss in mid-1475, Charles turned his attention to his plans with Edward IV of England to jointly conquer France. Louis XI successfully bribed Edward, however, foiling this plan. Charles instead decided to go and crush those who had crossed him by conquering Lorraine and getting his grip on Savoy, from which he could invade Switzerland. This was a great idea in theory, but his own infamous lack of mercy provoked a stronger-than-expected unity amongst his enemies, which compounded the financial problems he was facing after years of constant military campaigns. Defeats at Grandson, Murten and finally Nancy, saw the past glories of the House of Valois-Burgundy reversed and, as he was presciently warned by one of his advisors before crushing Liege, returned to a dream. Perhaps a more accurate description, though, is that they were thrust into a nightmare.

With thanks to Ilya Brodsky, Jay Slot, and Eric & Sammy Hansen for their Patreon support.

SHOW NOTES: https://www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/historyofthenetherlands/episode-34-returned-to-a-dream-an-unfancy-death-in-nancy

PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/historyofthenetherlands

TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/historyofNL

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33 - No More Mr Neuss Guy Nov 02, 2020

After being rebuffed in his royal ambitions at Trier in 1473, Charles the Bold became embroiled in a series of power struggles with neighbouring imperial lands during the final years of his life. In Upper Alsace, which the Duke of Austria, Sigismund, had mortgaged to him, Charles installed a man named Peter von Hagenbach as his bailiff, whose tyrannical tendencies united a coalition of Swiss and Alsatian towns which teamed up with Sigismund, forming an anti-Burgundian alliance called the League of Constance. This coalition set about rejecting and ejecting the Burgundians from Upper Alsace. Basically, conditions conspired to continuously concern Charles and the League of Constance would contemptuously constrain his constant compulsions for control over consecutively connected constituencies. He also declared himself protector of Cologne, which was in revolt against its prince-bishop, and set about laying siege to the rebellious town of Neuss. All of this so worried important sectors of the imperial nobility that war was declared on the Duke of Burgundy by the Emperor. Charles found himself faced with enemies on all fronts and after almost a year of laying siege to Neuss, was forced to abandon it without success. His finances were in tatters and his prestige was diminished, but still, Charles had high hopes that he could turn his fortunes around.

With thanks to Job Mantz, maarten, Olaf, and Mehmet Baran for their Patreon support.

SHOW NOTES: https://www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/historyofthenetherlands/episode-33-no-more-mr-neuss-guy

PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/historyofthenetherlands

TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/historyofNL

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32 - Charles, King of Burgundy? Oct 19, 2020

Charles the Bold inherited from his predecessors a lust for territorial expansion. When an old conflict in Guelders reared its head in 1468, Charles put himself in position to intervene there in much the way he had in Liège. Not just satisfied with this, he also sent a strongly worded letter to the power-brokers of Friesland, suggesting that they should think about accepting him, the Count of Holland, as their rightful ruler. Aaah, remember the days of haughty princes threatening Frisians with subjugation? Well, they’re back! By 1473 Charles’ army was in Guelders and threatening Friesland. Now, more regions of the Low Countries would be exposed to the process of Burgundian centralisation, which Charles ramped up by establishing the Parlement of Mechelen. Charles had become so powerful that he had started making eyes at not only a royal title, but an imperial one. In Triers in late 1473 Charles went to meet the emperor and, to all onlookers, it was pretty clear that he was going to leave this meeting with a crown on his head. Spoiler alert: he wouldn’t.

With thanks to Jos van Ommeren, Martha Droge, Saskia Giraud, Ruben Koops and Chuck the Monk for their kind donations to the show.

SHOW NOTES: https://www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/historyofthenetherlands/episode-32-charles-king-of-burgundy

PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/historyofthenetherlands

TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/historyofNL

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31 - A Luckless Legate in Liège Oct 05, 2020

At the beginning of 1468, after having crushed a second uprising in Liège in the space of two years, Charles the Bold set about the all-important task of figuring out to whom he was going to marry. At the same time, he was once again being dragged into affairs in France as petulant nobles there began once more to grumble militarily about his nemesis, French king, Louis XI. Although Charles and Louis’ enmity stretched back to before either of them had taken the reigns of power, it had become focused on the region of the Somme towns, which Charles’ father had remarkably ceded to Louis before his death, but which Charles had re-taken possession of in the treaty of Conflans. While preparing to go to war against France once again, Liège erupted once more into revolt. A papal legate named Onofrio de Santa Croce was sent to Liège in order to try to find a peaceful resolution to this on-going social unrest, and although he did a remarkable job in trying to find a pathway through the murkiness, in the end he was unsuccessful. On October 30, 1468, Charles the Bold, accompanied by a no doubt unhappy French King, Louis XI, would begin a final sack of Liège which would see the city burn for 7 weeks.

With thanks to Stefan Campmans, Paul Trufasu and Matthew Kocian for their Patreon support.

SHOW NOTES: https://www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/historyofthenetherlands/episode-31-a-luckless-legate-in-liege

PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/historyofthenetherlands

TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/historyofNL

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BONUS: A Notable Little Podcast of Cookery in the Low Countries Sep 24, 2020

When it comes to food, Flanders and the Netherlands are not two peas in a pod. What is the influence of religion on our cuisine? Why do Belgians love eating out at restaurants? Which recipes can be found in the oldest Dutch cookbook? Why did the Dutch ever eat tulip bulbs and now have a dish called a hairdresser's salon?

In this episode, we find out what Flemish and Dutch people have been eating since prehistoric times. Smakelijk!

Do you want to know more about Flemish and Dutch history and culture? Visit www.the-low-countries.com.

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BONUS: Rembrandt and the Revolting Batavians Aug 19, 2020

To tide you over in our absence during the summer break, we decided to reboot an episode of our previous podcast entitled 'Rembrandt and the Revolting Batavians'. We'll be back with regular programming as soon as possible. Marked explicit due to a few naughty words.

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30 - A Rebuke of the New Duke Aug 03, 2020

Upon becoming the Duke of Burgundy, along with all the titles that came with it, Charles the Bold inherited the complex series of social revolts that were either simmering or boiling over in places like Liege and Flanders. After burying his father, which he did with all the symbolic and royal pomp and ceremony that he could muster, Charles headed for Ghent. There, he expected to make a Joyous Entry that would celebrate his magnificence as emphatically as he had seen them do for his father years before. When he was sworn in as the new Count of Flanders, his oath was barely out of his mouth before he was literally surrounded by rioting and rebellious workers in the city. For the people of Ghent, and indeed for many of the people who lived in low country domains under Burgundian rule or influence, Charles' ascension meant that the relationship between the ruler and the ruled would begin anew; he could not simply appropriate the one which his father had established. These revolting workers in Ghent took the new duke’s visit as an opportunity to air grievances which they reckoned needed to be taken into consideration for the terms of this new relationship. This, however, was by no means the only issue that Charles had to deal with. Not even a year after the destruction of Dinant, the rebel factions in the bishopric of Liege had once more taken control of many towns in the territory, and Louis de Bourbon was forced into exile. Many of the people of Liege, invested in rebellion, were going to push a few of Charles’ buttons, and see if they couldn’t take the opportunity of a change in ruler to unhook themselves from the talons of Burgundian domination.

With thanks to Oliver Koschmieder, Hans de Ridder and Saskia Mensink for their Patreon support.

SHOW NOTES: https://www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/historyofthenetherlands/e30-a-rebuke-of-the-new-duke

PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/historyofthenetherlands

TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/historyofNL

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29 - Dinant, Was... Jul 20, 2020

Charles, the Count of Charolais, began to take a more dominant role in the Burgundian court after the forced reconciliation with his father, Philip the Good, in January 1464. By midway through the next year Charles had ejected the pro-French members of the Duke’s inner sanctum and was finally able to convince his father that it was time to check Louis XI’s expansion into the Burgundian realm. He was given command of his father’s military, joined up with a bunch of French nobility and went to war in France in the so-called League of the Public Weal. Charles and Louis would meet in an indecisive battle at Montlhery in July, 1465, and although both men would claim victory, the battle greatly enhanced Charles’ reputation and earned him the moniker history would remember him by: Charles le Téméraire, Charles the Bold. Conflicting reports about the outcome of Montlhery would reach the Low Countries, and after wrongly hearing that Charles had been slain, a rowdy mob in Dinant, Liége, would hang an effigy of the Count and generally cause a ruckus by hurling outrageous insults about Charles’ mother Isabella. Fired up by this assault on his family’s honour, Charles would take his armies back into the Low Countries and eventually unleash such cruel vengeance on the town that people looking at its remains would say “Cy fust Dinant”, “Dynant was…”. Charles the Bold was giving the people of the Low Countries a sneak peak into his style of leadership, and this new era would begin in June, 1467, when Philip the Good would finally die.

With thanks to Diane Frendak and Berry Wiersum for their Patreon support.

SHOW NOTES: https://www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/historyofthenetherlands/episode-29-dinant-was

PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/historyofthenetherlands

TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/historyofNL

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BONUS: A Pint-Sized History of Beer and Brewing in the Low Countries Jul 06, 2020

Why did the Dutch drink almost four times as much beer in the fifteenth century as they do today? Why would the Beer Drinking War be a better name for The Eighty Years' War? And why is the longest-standing beer in Belgium not as old as the brewers want us to believe? Pour a glass of your favourite brew and join on a historic journey of beer and brewing in the Low Countries. Proost!

Do you want to know more about Flemish and Dutch history and culture? Visit www.the-low-countries.com.

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28 - The Strained Reins of a Waning Reign Jun 22, 2020

In the final decade of his reign, Philip the Good was obsessed with the idea of a crusade against the Ottoman Turks. The complexities of the diverse state that he had built, however, would never allow him to fulfill this dream, as he would continually be distracted by local issues. Although Philip had been released from his personal vassalage to the French King, France still remained a threat to stability in Burgundy; the two men’s status as ‘frenemies’ was solidified when Charles VII’s son, the dauphin Louis, was given refuge at the Burgundian court. Philip’s heir, Charles, Count of Charolais, had major father issues of his own after their argument which had ended with Philip lost in the forest in Belgium. Despite the birth of his daughter, Mary, Charles became estranged from not only his father, but also the fine-workings of central governance. He retreated to Holland to worry about whether he would ever, indeed, actually receive his inheritance. When the dauphin Louis ascended to the throne in France, a sequence of events was set in motion which threatened to permanently splinter the Burgundian realm. But before this could happen, the Estates of the Burgundian Netherlands took the small step of organising a meeting on their own accord in order to secure Charles’s inheritance and force a reconciliation between the aging and deteriorating duke and his ambitious and aggressive son. And in so doing, the Estates General of the Netherlands had taken one giant leap onto centre stage of lowlander politics.

With thanks to Jos van Ommeren, Zoe Tsiagkouris and Paul Roos for their Patreon support.

SHOW NOTES: www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/historyofthenetherlands/episode-28-the-strained-reins-of-a-waning-reign

PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/historyofthenetherlands

TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/historyofNL

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27 - Picking Bishops and Familial Fissures Jun 08, 2020

When Philip the good went to the Imperial Diet in Regensburg in 1454 it gave his son and heir, Charles, the count of Charolais, a chance to get some practice at ruling in his stead, giving subjects in the Burgundian Low Countries a glimpse into what the future of the dynasty might hold. When Philip returned he was obsessed with the idea of crusade, meaning both Charles and Isabella of Portugal remained involved in major political actions. However, as always, events in the Low Countries soon demanded Philip’s attention again, as he would execute plans to expand the Burgundian influence over the spiritual as well as temporal realms in his domains. He would force one of his many illegitimate children, David, onto the bishopric throne in Utrecht in 1455 and the year after that another Burgundian puppet into the same role in the ever-troublesome bishopric of Liege. As Philip was busy dealing with these various issues, however, a power struggle broke out within his inner circle that would see the Croy family begin making plans to take down Philip’s longtime right hand man, his chancellor Nicolas Rolin. To further complicate matters, in 1455 a bombshell would drop when the heir to the French throne, the dauphin Louis, would flee the issues he had with his own father, the King of France, and sensationally seek and receive exile at the Burgundian court. A generational shift was taking place and, faced with all these new contenders for his father’s honour and affection, Charles would feel threatened and the relationship between the Burgundian father and son would sour. By the time he was just 23 years old, the two men would no longer be on speaking terms and Charles would be removed from the political process altogether. The Burgundian dynasty, as strong as it looked from the outside, was looking very frail from within.

With thanks to Ron Shokker, Gerco Broekstra, Ken Heugel, Oisín O Mahony, Tatiana Magdaleno and polypat for their Patreon support.

To book a tour on the Amsterdam canals with us, go to www.tdbg.nl and make sure you include "I believe in Dave" in the subject line!

SHOW NOTES: www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/historyofthenetherlands/episode-26-beautiful-burgundian-bureaucracy

PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/historyofthenetherlands

TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/historyofNL

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26 - Beautiful Burgundian Bureaucracy and the Salty Citizens of Ghent May 25, 2020

Philip the Good may have dreamed of wearing a single crown, but while that was not the case he was just a man wearing many different hats, and if you’ve ever seen someone wearing more than one hat at a time, you’d know how difficult and awkward that can be. Philip brought in administrative and economic changes to try and fuse the many different bureaucracies of his lands into one. This led to early meetings between representatives from all of Philip’s lowland domains which signify the emergence of an early parliamentary body, the Estates General, which will play a major role in the Low Countries in the years to come. However, although Philip was somewhat flexible when it came to handling his various provinces, it cost him a fortune to do so. This was most risky in his wealthiest territory, Flanders and the stability he had sought since the Bruges revolt was shattered when Ghent, his largest city, took its turn to go into open and violent revolt. Once more Philip would have to temporarily abandon his role as loving and fatherly prince, put on his hat of vengeful lord and once more crush thousands of his subjects. He would then make another Joyous Entry, exactly as he had fifteen year prior in Bruges and force the subdued people of Ghent to recognise his headpiece of haughty, honourable homage; the loving, benevolent prince, once more.

With thanks to Keith Brown and David Gould for their Patreon support.

SHOW NOTES: www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/historyofthenetherlands/episode-26-beautiful-burgundian-bureaucracy

PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/historyofthenetherlands

TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/historyofNL

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25 - Pheasant Fealty (Stuck in the Middle mit Vous) May 11, 2020

After the Treaty of Arras in 1435, Philip the Good’s international policies had to overcome several hurdles if he was to achieve his aim of obtaining as much territory and autonomy as he could. Despite his reconciliation with the king of France, the two cousins would continually be at each other’s throats and on the brink of breaking into warfare again. In 1441 Philip became the regent for Luxembourg and this irked the dignity of certain powerbrokers in the Holy Roman Empire who had their own eyes on the domain. Because Philip was a French prince who ruled imperial territories, he had to rely on his usual tactics of over the top extravagance and relationship building to navigate through the political awkwardness that this caused. He successfully made moves designed to maintain his autonomy as a prince of Christendom and from the 1440s harboured the idea of elevation to a kingship. This would come close to materialising several times, however, as has been the way since Charlemagne’s empire was split up between three brothers all those centuries ago, Philip found that being stuck between France and the German Empire left little room for absolute low country autonomy.

With thanks to Demetrio Munoz, Leonieke Aalders, and Iosa Mac Chrisdein for their Patreon support.

SHOW NOTES: www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/historyofthenetherlands/episode-25-pheasant-fealty

PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/historyofthenetherlands

TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/historyofNL

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BONUS: Jan van Eyck: The Man and the Myth May 04, 2020

Jan van Eyck, one of the Low Countries' most famous artists, lived through an extraordinary period in history, between the 1390s and the 1440s. Although much about the early Netherlandish painter’s life is completely unknown, the details which do remain provide tantalising glimpses into an artistic and technical talent, who was both socially and politically capable enough to be able to ingratiate himself within the highest ranks of power in his time. Van Eyck’s cultural influence has continued in the five and a half centuries since his death. In Flanders, the year 2020 is being celebrated as the Year of Van Eyck. So to pay homage, in this episode we will explore the life and works of Jan van Eyck and the mystery surrounding the theft of part of his most famous work, the Ghent altarpiece.

Visit www.the-low-countries.com for the high road to Dutch/Flemish culture!

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24 - The Lavish and the Revolting Apr 27, 2020

The court of Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, became widely known as the most extravagant and luxurious in Europe during the almost 50 years of his reign between 1419 and 1467. Using pomp, ceremony and patronage of the arts, an image was created of Philip as a wise, just and fair ruler; the “grand duke of the west”. During the celebrations of Philip the Good’s marriage to Isabella of Portugal in Bruges, in 1430, he created the Order of the Golden Fleece; a military group that celebrated the chivalric tradition and served to add prestige and honour to the immense power that Philip had acquired in his schemes of territorial expansion. The creation of such an order was part of a greater image of courtly splendour, festivity and spiritual devotion that Philip established in order to validate his rule and create stronger bonds of identity with his subjects. Even when those subjects went into rebellion against him, which Bruges did in 1436, his subjugation of them would include using these elements to reinforce their relationship.

With thanks to Mike Corcoran, Berry Wursten, Andrew and Taco de Vries for their Patreon support.

SHOW NOTES: www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/historyofthenetherlands/episode-24-the-lavish-and-the-revolting

PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/historyofthenetherlands

TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/historyofNL

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23 - Overachieving Overijsselers and Holland versus Hansa Apr 13, 2020

At the beginning of the 15th century, towns in the Oversticht, the region which mostly makes up today’s modern province of Overijssel but at the time was controlled by the prince-bishop of Utrecht, reached their medieval zenith largely because of their involvement and affiliation with the Hanseatic League. Strategically positioned along the IJssel river, which connected the Zuiderzee to the Rhine, towns such as Deventer, Kampen and Zwolle were able to take part in the sprawling trade network of northern German cities which dominated trade over the North and Baltic seas. But although the trading connections brought increased power and wealth to the region, it was also here that a new spiritual movement known as Modern Devotion was founded by a man called Geert Groote, who rejected the materialism and excesses of the Church and its clergy and called for sober, inward, religious reflection. His followers, known as the Brothers and Sisters of the Common Life, would spread throughout the low countries and parts of Germany creating schools, copying and producing books, and increasing literacy levels throughout society. But the privileged position that the Overijssel towns enjoyed was to be broken when the rising towns of Holland, particularly Amsterdam, went to war with the Hanseatic League and through piratical actions broke its near monopoly on the trade of fish, lumber and grain from the Baltics. From this, Holland would emerge as an even greater regional power.

With thanks to Jeffrey Babcock and Altcode for their Patreon support.

SHOW NOTES: www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/historyofthenetherlands/episode-23-overacheiving-overijsselers-and-holland-versus-hansa

PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/historyofthenetherlands

TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/historyofNL

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22 - Escaping Social Isolation with a Miraculous Journey to the 1420s Mar 30, 2020

As much as we may like to imagine that those at the top of the social and political ladders - the kings, queens, counts, and dukes, politicians, merchants and bankers - are the people who drive history onwards, it is everyday people that truly live and experience most of what happens in history, whether or not their names go in the record books. In this episode we imagine the extraordinary life of a farm-boy from Kennemerland who, as the youngest, must venture out to find work and a life beyond his parent’s farmstead. He has benefited from the educational system set up by the Brethren of the Common Life, a lay-religious community, and is able to read, giving him an advantage in everyday life. Being the 1400s he is faithful to the church and, from a young age, determined to make a pilgrimage to the holy town of Amstelredam.

With thanks to Ally Smith and Thijs Castelein for their Patreon support.

SHOW NOTES: https://www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/historyofthenetherlands/episode-22-escaping-social-isolation-with-a-miraculous-journey-to-the-1420s

PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/historyofthenetherlands

TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/historyofNL

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21 - Jacqueline of Bavaria Mar 16, 2020

On his death-bed in 1417, William VI, Count of Hainault, Holland and Zeeland, named his daughter Jacqueline of Bavaria as his heir. Given the financial, political and military might of these three territories, this elevated Jacqueline to an extremely powerful position within the low countries, and despite being only 15 years old, she seems to have been up to the task. Jacqueline was not afraid to take bold and risky moves to protect her own interests, often in defiance of those who would use her as their own political pawn. Unfortunately for her, however, being born a woman in a male dominated society meant that Jacqueline’s inheritance was instantly challenged by her uncle, John the Pitiless, bishop-elect of Liege. Her marriage to the new Duke of Brabant, John IV, proved to be a disaster and did nothing to help her defend her domains from her avaricious uncle. Despite a spectacular attempt to return to the low countries at the head of an English army, when all was said and done, Jacqueline would be brought undone not by her uncle, but by her cousin, the new Duke of Burgundy; he who despite his arguably obvious non-goodness, would become known as Philip the Good.

With thanks to Mike Huitema and Nynke van Gent for their Patreon support.

SHOW NOTES: https://www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/historyofthenetherlands/episode-21-jacqueline-of-bavaria

PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/historyofthenetherlands

TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/historyofNL

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20 - Bonds Broken by Battle, Bite and Bridge Mar 02, 2020

At the end of the first decade of the 1400s, everything seemed to be going peachy for John the Fearless, the Duke of Burgundy. He had resisted a large rebellion and maintained his centralising influence over most of the low-countries as well as nurtured and made official the alliance his father had created with the other major powerbase in the low countries, the Count of Holland. By the end of the second decade of the 1400s, however, fate, in the forms of an English army with long-bows, a mad dog, and a treacherous bridge, would intervene and John would be dead. With their departure from the scene, the fate of the low countries would once again be thrown into the realms of uncertainty.

With thanks to Pieter Wiemken, Mark Lemke, Thomas Davern and Kiri for becoming Patreon subscribers.

SHOW NOTES: https://www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/historyofthenetherlands/episode-20-bonds-broken-by-battle-bite-and-bridge

PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/historyofthenetherlands

TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/historyofNL

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19 - Take it on the Othée Side Feb 17, 2020

On September 23, 1408, a combined allied army of the duke of Burgundy, the count of Holland, and the bishop-elect of Liège marched against the people of Liege, who had erupted into an all out revolt against their ruler. At the Battle of Othée, the Liégeois were utterly crushed and in the aftermath the citizens of Liège were made to pay dearly by the victorious nobles, with the town stripped of its privileges and draconian punishments placed upon it. The retribution was so harsh that the bishop-elect of Liège earned the name “John the Pitiless”. But the real triumph belonged to another John, “the Fearless”, Duke of Burgundy, and Count of Flanders and Artois, who with this battle capped off a series of power plays which began with the very public assassination of his biggest political rival in France, Louis of Orleans. John the Fearless asserted himself as the dominant power broker in the low countries, showing the ever restless towns what might happen to them should they rebel against his authority.

With thanks to D de Jonge, Sérgio Teixeira da Silva and Zombles Allegoy for becoming Patreon subscribers.

SHOW NOTES: https://www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/historyofthenetherlands/episode-19-take-it-on-the-othee-side

PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/historyofthenetherlands

TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/historyofNL

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18 - To Boldly Go For Brabant Dec 16, 2019

Philip the Bold and his wife Margaret ruled Flanders for twenty years from 1384-1404 and during that time would expand their family’s rule into Limburg, as well as set their successors up to rule Brabant, Holland, zeeland, Hainault and other low country territories as well. The manner in which Philip, trod this treacherous path, in particular his giving of lavish gifts and making steady and long term alliances, would set the tone for a dynasty that was going to contribute so much to the emergence of a lowland culture and identity.

With thanks to Cory ter Smitte, Benjamin Forsyth, Bengt-Åke Andersson, Anonymous, Larry Tanz, Smutticus, Mees Dekker, Kyle Buis, Daniel Ruff and Hanneke van den Boom for becoming Patreon subscribers.

SHOW NOTES: https://www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/historyofthenetherlands/episode-18-to-boldly-go-for-brabant

PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/historyofthenetherlands

TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/historyofNL

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Interview: Hiding in the Wolf's Lair Nov 25, 2019

For the last 12 months we have been working on an artwork for Amsterdam Light Festival #8. The theme this year is 'Disrupt', so our piece is based on what we believe to be the most disruptive event in Amsterdam's history, the Second World War. During the occupation, around 250-300 people hid in Amsterdam Artis Zoo to escape from Nazi persecution. Among them were Jews, resistance fighters, young men who didn't want to get sent to forced labour camps in Germany, and even entire families. Since audio is a terrible medium to explain a light art installation, in this episode we dive into the story of Amsterdam's zoo during the Second World War and the people who managed to survive by hiding there. To guide us through this story, we interviewed the former director of Artis, Maarten Frankenhuis, who wrote Overleven in de Dierentuin (Surviving in the Zoo), the definitive account of Artis zoo during the war.

Show notes: https://www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/historyofthenetherlands/hiding-in-the-wolfs-lair

Hiding in the Wolf's Lair is a joint work between Republic of Amsterdam Radio and Nomad Tinker House. www.nomadtinkerhouse.com

With many thanks to Maarten Frankenhuis. www.maartenfrankenhuis.nl

Check out our artwork https://amsterdamlightfestival.com/en/artworks/hiding-in-the-wolfs-lair

Go on a tour of Amsterdam Light Festival with Those Dam Boat Guys: https://www.thosedamboatguys.com/amsterdam-light-festival

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17 - The Bold and the Looter's Rule Nov 11, 2019

Philip the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, kicked off a dynasty that would forever change the Low Countries. After his marriage to Margaret of Flanders in 1369, Philip would prove himself to be a formidable opponent to anyone playing the game of politics and power in western Europe. He generally did this by using diplomacy instead of the sword. Despite his adventurous and super trendy epithet suggesting otherwise, he was more willing to boldly give lavish gifts of wine and expensive ornaments, in order to charm the pants off anyone he was trying to manipulate, than to raise an army and go marching boldly forth. By showing magnanimity in victory after quelling an uprising in Ghent in the 1380s, by the end of the 14th century Philip the Bold was able to bring a modicum of stability to rebellious Flanders and begin the process of centralising power in the low countries under a single ruler: himself and his successors, the Dukes of Burgundy. Philip would create what would go down in history as the Burgundian Netherlands.

With thanks to Samuel Dalcin da Anunciação, Carol Agle, Nicholas Tishler and Jeremy Heeringa and Harry Berkowitz and his class for becoming Patreon subscribers.

SHOW NOTES: https://www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/historyofthenetherlands/episode-17-the-bold-and-the-looters-rule

PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/historyofthenetherlands

TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/historyofNL

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16 - The Fishy Tale of Willem Beukelszoon Oct 28, 2019

In the latter half of the 14th century, a series of technological developments as well as ripe social and economic conditions saw the foundations being laid for the future Dutch takeover of the northern European herring industry. Up until then, the herring trade had been dominated by the Danes, Swedes and the Hanseatic towns of northern Germany and the Baltic Sea, with Dutch and other European consumers happily importing salted herring from those places. Within two hundred years this situation would be completely reversed; the fishing and exporting of salted herring would be one of the cornerstones of the Dutch economy and Dutch cured herring would come to reach dinner tables all across Europe. This remarkable reversal of fortunes was so integral to the emergence of Dutch national identity, that it required its own position within the narrative of the emerging Dutch state. From the 17th century onwards a myth was perpetuated which credited it all to a man called Willem Beukelszoon of Biervliet. He was a humble herring fisherman who, at some point in the 14th century apparently discovered the process of gibbing, which made this whole turn around possible. Although this legend has been debunked by modern historians, its perpetuation demonstrates the importance which the so-called “royal herring” enjoyed in the creation of a Dutch national identity. So in this episode of the History of the Netherlands, we are once again going to depart from the power games of the nobility, and the wranglings of urban elite and worker’s guilds, and focus on something even more slippery, the herring.

With thanks to Nynke van Gent, Randy Gout, Marko de Weerdt and Jeroen Peeters-Panman for becoming Patreon subscribers.

SHOW NOTES: https://www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/historyofthenetherlands/episode-16-the-fishy-tale-of-willem-beukelszoon

PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/historyofthenetherlands

TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/historyofNL

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15 - Fuelling the Flames of Frisian Freedom Sep 30, 2019

Friesland was an autonomous anomaly in Europe, free from the feudal obligations that had so deeply entrenched themselves in society everywhere else. For years the Frisians just rocked along, doing their own thing, which generally involved something to do with cows. We have largely avoided talking about them for a few episodes, but now is the time in our journey through the History of the Netherlands to look at exactly what the Frisians were doing in the 1300s that was not cow related. Put simply, for the first forty-four years of the fourteenth century forces and factions fought and feuded in Friesland, fueling the flames of fearless Frisian freedom fighters. In 1345, Frisian farmers and fishermen on the eastern side of the Zuiderzee would meet and defeat the Count of Holland in battle at Stavoren, an event that would unite people in East-Friesland and ensure that the autonomy they enjoyed known as “Friese Vrijheid”, Frisian freedom, would continue for another 150 years.

With thanks to James Lovett, Clay Batley and Jan Kouwenberg for becoming Patreon subscribers.

SHOW NOTES: https://www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/historyofthenetherlands/episode-15-fuelling-the-flames-of-frisian-freedom

PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/historyofthenetherlands

TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/historyofNL

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14 - The Joys of Succession in Brabant Sep 16, 2019

By the mid-1300s the fractured mini-states of the lowlands were being pulled apart by competing political and economic interests, warfare, dynastic struggles and the Black Death. The resulting instability meant that relations between the rulers and the ruled were constantly tested as the various layers of society tried to protect their interests in such perilous times. Whereas in Flanders this had led to bloody conflict between the Count and the cities, in other parts of the lowlands different methods were used to determine what this relationship should be. At a magnificent ceremony in Brabant in 1356, a new Duchess and Duke signed a document that did exactly this, confirming certain rights of their subjects, including the right to disobey the ruler if they failed to uphold their end of the bargain. Although this so-called ‘Joyous Entry’ would be ignored almost from the moment of its signing, it would continue to have symbolic significance throughout the History of the Netherlands.

With special thanks to our new Patreon subscribers: Nicholas Birns, Sairam Manda, Steven Straatemans, Joe Watts and Julian's dad Michael Smith!

SHOW NOTES:

https://www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/historyofthenetherlands/episode-14-the-joys-of-succession-in-brabant

PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/historyofthenetherlands

TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/historyofNL

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13 - The Brewer of Ghent Sep 02, 2019

The Flemish victory over the French at the Battle of the Golden Spurs led to a vast change in social structures, but that battle did not finish or solve the issues between Flanders, France and England. By the 1320s Flanders had still been in near constant warfare for decades and was, frankly, in a state of chaos. The Count of Flanders had lost much control, guilds had gained power in towns so as to compete with the urban elite and each other, and people in the countryside were often having to feed everybody while not enjoying the benefits of being a filthy-rich cloth merchant. Chaos, as we know, is a ladder, and a man named Jacob van Artevelde was going to climb it to the top.

With thanks to Robbert Ricci and Mark van der Laan for becoming Patreon subscribers.

SHOW NOTES: https://www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/historyofthenetherlands/episode-13-the-brewer-of-ghent

PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/historyofthenetherlands

TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/historyofNL

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12 - Jews, Pestilence and the Apocalyptic 14th Century Aug 12, 2019

At this stage in our journey through the History of the Netherlands we have emerged into the 1300s: a century which for a long time, has been seen as the most awful century to have been alive in western Europe. Warfare and plague led to an almost complete breakdown of order in the social fabric. Estimates vary and depend on the region, but in less than a decade up to half of the European population died of the black death after it first struck in 1348, before returning again later in the century and wiping out another huge chunk. And as bad as all that may be, it would have been even worse if you were a Jew. Because even though you had to live through the same hardships as everyone else, and were exposed to the same pestilence that could destroy your family, there was a very high chance that you were going to be blamed for the black plague and subsequently burned to death as punishment.

Show notes: https://www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/historyofthenetherlands/episode-12-jews-pestilence-and-the-apocalyptic-14th-century

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11 - The Murder of Floris V Jul 15, 2019

Today we are going to break the pattern of the last few episodes and make the outrageous move of not talking about Belgium. I know, crazy right. We’ve gone on a lot about the social changes which were taking place throughout the southern lowlands over the last few episodes, so now we move back north and focus our attention on how the area which, after various disastrous floods cut it off from Friesland proper during the 13th century, became known as West-Friesland, and which would by the end of that century be conquered and subdued by the warlords of the House of Holland. We’re going to cover anti-kings, people falling through ice, a son’s revenge of his father’s murder, peasant uprisings, backstabbing nobles, kidnappings and mob violence. Never a dull moment in our little swamp!

SHOW NOTES: https://www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/historyofthenetherlands/episode-11-the-murder-of-floris-v

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/historyofthenetherlands

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/historyofNL

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10 - The Battle of the Golden Spurs (A "Good Day" to Die Hard) Jul 01, 2019

In the late 1200s many of the trends and forces that we've been exploring, such as feudalism, urbanisation and industrialisation erupted in a spectacular clash between Flanders and France. Flanders was totally annexed by their larger and more powerful neighbour, but a rebellion stirred that would result in a brutal massacre and an unlikely battlefield victory in a pile of mud, flesh and golden spurs just outside of the town of Kortrijk.

Show notes: https://www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/historyofthenetherlands/episode-10-the-battle-of-the-golden-spurs

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09 - Weaving Our Way Through Flanders (A Wooly Good Episode) Jun 17, 2019

Today we are taking you on an epic adventure, being passed from hand to hand and from group to group, throughout medieval Flanders, as wool. You read that correctly. Wool. Yes, it might seem strange at first, imagining being an inanimate object. But wool was the most important commodity in Flanders during the 13th century, and the process through which it was transformed from a raw material to a finished piece of fine cloth will take you through every layer of the new urban society that was developing in the low countries. You’re going to be dyed, spun, woven, beaten, pissed on and strung up on tenterhooks. It’s gonna be fun, trust us.

Show notes: https://www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/historyofthenetherlands/episode-9-weaving-our-way-through-flanders-a-wooly-good-episode

Many thanks to our patrons on Patreon:

Michael Smith

Johannes Knöbl

Todd Fox

Mary Virginia Avery

You can support our show by visiting https://www.patreon.com/historyofthenetherlands

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08 - Draining the Swamp (or, The Secret Soggy Story of Sphagnum) Jun 03, 2019

We break away from the main chronology of the series a little bit, to zoom out and re-focus on one particular topic: how exactly, in the space of roughly 500 years, this empty swamp land was transformed into one of the most densely populated places on the planet. But in order to do that, we’re going to have to focus on one of the most underrated, and unappreciated of mother nature’s gifts. And that is something called sphagnum; more commonly known as peat moss. It's time to drain the swamp.

Show notes: https://www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/historyofthenetherlands/episode-8-draining-the-swamp

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07 - Getting Down in Town May 20, 2019

Freed from the need to be working the land due to the improvements in agriculture discussed in episode 6, people in the low countries began congregating in urban centres. They developed new skills and began manufacturing goods. Artisans like smiths, woodworkers, weavers, embroiderers and textile workers suddenly possessed talents with great economic value. Now, for the first time, members of the common class were able to put their fingers onto the scales of power, and begin to balance it back in their favour by making city charters. But the creation of a new body politic in the 11th century would not be without its adversaries, nor without its consequences.

Show notes: https://www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/historyofthenetherlands/episode-7-getting-down-in-town

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06 - Ploughin’ Forward Apr 22, 2019

The last few episodes have focused heavily on the “Game of Thrones” layer of history; that’s to say, nobles killing each other. As exciting as it's been, only a tiny minority of people who lived around the end of the first millennium of the Common Era would have been directly concerned with those kinds of conflicts. For most people in the lowlands, it didn’t matter who their count or duke or emperor was. For them, life was nasty, brutish and short, and involved an overwhelming amount of backbreaking manual labour. But an agricultural revolution was about to change life for these peasants forever. So let’s keep ploughin’ forward with the History of the Netherlands.

Show notes: https://www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/historyofthenetherlands/episode-6-ploughin-forward

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05 - Welcome to Family Feudalism Apr 08, 2019

The disintegration of Charlemagne’s empire at the end of the 9th century left the lowlands part of a larger entity, Lotharingia, wedged between two much more powerful kingdoms, East and West Francia. If you were an ambitious noble, controlling one of the many small, swampy territories and you wished to move yourself up into a more prominent position, what would you do? Well, what lots of them chose to do was switch allegiances to and fro between the great powers on either side whenever they deemed it politically necessary and beneficial to do so. Welcome to Family Feudalism!

Show notes: https://www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/historyofthenetherlands/episode-5-welcome-to-family-feudalism

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04 - Charles in Charge Mar 25, 2019

In the latter half of the 8th century, events and circumstances around Europe become vastly influenced by a man who ruled a huge empire from (right next to) the lowlands. This man is the reason why the name Charles - which if you think about it really hard is actually a pretty weird name - is anywhere near as populous as it is today. But this Charles was, apparently, greater than the rest, and so he gets to be called Charlemagne - Charles the Great.

Show notes: https://www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/historyofthenetherlands/episode-4-charles-in-charge

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03 - Illuminating the Dark Ages Mar 11, 2019

A common misperception is that once Roman influence ended by 476 CE, the European continent went into a dark abyss with very little happening until the Italian Renaissance in the the 14th century. Most historians today would most likely disagree with this notion, as do we, because many important and enlightening things were happening in Europe, including our little part, the Lowlands. This episode is all about monks, migrations and Merovingians.

Show notes: https://www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/historyofthenetherlands/episode-3-illuminating-the-dark-ages

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02 - What Have the Romans Ever Done for Us? Mar 11, 2019

Throughout history, the Low Countries would often be defined by their interactions with great powers nearby. This began when the Original Superpower™, the Romans, decided the border of their empire would be the Rhine river, running right through the heart of our beloved swamp. One lowlander tribe, the Batavians, would learn the hard way that when in Rome, it’s better to just do as the Romans do.

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01 - 99% of Dutch History Mar 04, 2019

We set off on an epic journey to explore the history of a small piece of land in the northwest part of the European continent known as ‘the lowlands’, which roughly includes today’s Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and bits of northern France. This episode will take us from so called “pre-history” to around the Roman era. So strap in while we deal with 99% of Dutch history... that’s most of it.

Show notes: https://www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/historyofthenetherlands/episode-1-99-of-dutch-history

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