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): Dutch national museum dedicated to arts and…
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,…
