A bibliography of primary sources relating to the Renaissance era Netherlands—original texts, English translations, and modern scholarly collections of the same. As part of this larger Dutch and Flemish Studies Bibliography, a focus is on English translations, but a number of Dutch and French language documents are included.
A bibliography of biographies of the many important, influential, or otherwise interesting individuals who called the Low Countries home or played a significant role in the turmoil and cultural Renaissance that occurred there. Part of a larger Dutch and Flemish Studies Bibliography.
A bibliography focused on the economics, industry, exploration, and colonial impacts of the Dutch in this era. While most of these works focus on the sixteenth century, there are those works that overlap or solely address the economic and colonial power the Dutch Republic would become in the 1600s. Part of a larger Dutch and Flemish Studies Bibliography.
A bibliography of works about the remarkable and consequential “military revolution” that was playing itself out on battlefields, in sieges, and by recruiters in town squares and taverns. Armies of pikemen, musketeers, cannons, and cavalry were growing larger, and it was a challenge to pay these massed forces. Part of a larger Dutch and Flemish Studies Bibliography.
A bibliography focused on how the arts and the burgeoning world of natural philosophy (that would in time evolve into the scientific method) appeared in the Renaissance-era Netherlands. This is the realm of the chambers of rhetoric and the minds of Simon Stevin and Carolus Clusius. Part of a larger Dutch and Flemish Studies Bibliography.
A bibliography of works covering the revolution in print culture (printing, typefaces, publishing, mass media prints, cultural impact) and the “Golden Age of Cartography” that occurred in the Low Countries. Part of a larger Dutch and Flemish Studies Bibliography.
A bibliography focusing on the religious developments and turmoil of the Renaissance-era Low Countries—Calvinism, religious exile, and smaller sects—as well as educational efforts of Humanist scholars and the university at Leiden. Part of a larger Dutch and Flemish Studies Bibliography.
A bibliography of works about the broader Northern Renaissance, designed to set the Low Countries of the era in their proper historical and cultural context. Part of a larger Dutch and Flemish Studies Bibliography.
A bibliography focusing on the culture, society, and lived experiences of the Renaissance-era Low Countries. Part of a larger Dutch and Flemish Studies Bibliography.
A bibliography covering works about the Dutch Revolt, broader Eighty Years War, and the political developments that would lead to the Dutch Republic. Part of a larger Dutch and Flemish Studies Bibliography.
Primary sources and academic works are the foundation of historical research. Fortunately, there has been a fair amount of scholarly writing in English about the Dutch Revolt and the culture of the Renaissance-era Low Countries.
Understanding a language from four hundred-plus years ago is a challenge: spellings are not standardized, word meaning change, handwriting is alien, and idioms are lost. This is made more complex when English speakers must learn and translate early modern Dutch. Here are some resources I use.
Collections of sixteenth century heraldry native to the Low Countries – or including significant numbers of heraldic arms from the region Extant Low Countries Armorials Listed in chronological order, beginning in the late 15th century and continuing through the mid…
References, merchants, and historical costumers for those interested in portraying the “long sixteenth century.” This is a wildly incomplete list and will be continuing to grow. Inclusion in this list does not imply endorsement. Historical Costuming Communities The “Bees” of…
Museums and archives of note across the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and other regions with historic ties to the Low Countries. (This particular list is very much a work in progress.) Museums Rijksmuseum (EN/NL, Amsterdam): Dutch national museum dedicated to arts…
Relevant peer-reviewed journals with frequent – or occasional – articles and reviews applicable to Renaissance-era Dutch & Flemish Studies. Canadian Journal of Netherlandic Studies: Offering a variety of articles on the culture of the Low Countries, this is the official…
Letters, art, artifacts, and printed materials. Databases and other collections of primary and contemporary sources relevant to Renaissance-era Dutch and Flemish studies. Legal Documents & Records 1581 Act of Abjuration English-Language Translation: The Act has come to be colloquially known…
Scholarly projects, programs, university departments, and societies related to Renaissance-era Dutch and Flemish studies. Scholarly Projects & Centers Amsterdam Centre for the Study of the Golden Age: An inter-disciplinary program at the University of Amsterdam, home to several working groups,…
