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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 3h

#OTD in 1830, the Provisional Government proclaimed the independence of Belgium. The short-lived union (15 years) with the Netherlands was no more.

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 6h

Margaret of Austria, Regent of the Habsburg Netherlands and her nephew - young - Emperor Charles V at her palace in Mechelen. Hof van Busleyden, Mechelen, Belgium.

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 23h

Paid a visit to the grand Hof van Busleyden museum in Mechelen and what do I spot in the shop? My biography of Emperor Charles V :)

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

small 16th c. room in the Hof van Busleyden museum in Mechelen. It was commissioned by its owner Hiëronymus van Busleyden as a private space to hold intimate discussions. People like Erasmus or Thomas More all entered the room for a chat. Photo: Hof van Busleyden.

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Edward IV found shelter in this palatial mansion in Bruges, the seat of the powerful Louis, Lord of Gruuthuse. After Edward’s return to England Louis was created Earl of Winchester. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

#OTD in 1470, King Edward IV of England fled to the Burgundian Netherlands, ruled by his brother-in-law Charles the Bold, following the rebellion of Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick who re-installed Henry VI as King

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

#OTD in 1795, France annexed the former Habsburg Netherlands and the Prince-Bishopric of Liège. The decision erased political entities that existed for roughly 1000 years (County of Flanders, Duchy of Brabant, Liège…etc.) and turned those into the ‘United Departments’

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

#OTD in 1685, Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI was born. He also claimed the Spanish Crown during the War of the Spanish Succession and became Lord of the Habsburg Netherlands following the Peace of Utrecht.

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Did you know the royal castle of Binche (Hainaut, Belgium) was considered one of the finest Renaissance residences in Europe. Designed by Jacques Du Brœucq (1546-49) it was the favorite summer residence of Regent Mary until it was destroyed by invading French troops in 1554.

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

One of the most powerful - and underrated - women in early 16th c. Europe: Margaret, Regent of the Habsburg Netherlands. By Lucas Granach the Elder (ca. 1530). Anhaltische Gemälde-Galerie, Dessau.

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

#OTD in 1066, William of Normandy landed in Pevensey to start his quest for the English crown. His army also contained countless Flemings including colourful characters such as Gerbod the Fleming who became Earl of Chester.

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Young Charles (V) visiting Antwerp in 1515. By Pieter van de Ouderaa.

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

#OTD in 1275, Duke Jan II of Brabant and Limburg was born. In 1312, he issued the Charter of Kortenberg, a milestone in European ‘constitutional’ history. Although that text (also covered rights for the poor) went further than the English Magna Carta it is somewhat forgotten

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

In gesprek gegaan met VRT journalist Gianni Paelinck over het wel en wee van keizer Karel V. Bedankt Boekhandel Corman voor de uitnodiging en Gianni voor het fijne gesprek.

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

During the administration of Leopold Wilhelm, the Coudenberg Palace in Brussels was one of the finest art galleries in Europe. The man was obsessed with expanding his collection and constantly had agents scouring art markets.

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

His 6-year old son Charles, who resided in Mechelen, Habsburg Netherlands, was proclaimed the new Lord. Charles’ first public appearance was attending his father’s memorial service at St Rombout’s Church in Mechelen.

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

#OTD in 1506, Philip the Fair, ruler of the Habsburg Netherlands and King of Castile died in Burgos. His wife Joanna fell into a permanent state of mental illness and even also travelled around Castile with Philip’s body.

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Remarkable - and beautiful - image of the Counts’ Castle in Ghent. The waterways in Ghent are covered by ‘duckweed’ a plant that provides for some unusual scenes. Photo: Jimmy Kets

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Did you know young King Leopold I of the Belgians often sat hours listening to his old great-uncle prince Josias of Saxe-Coburg und Saalfeld who was a Field Marshal and had been fighting wars for more than 50 years. Josias regaled Leopold with tales about his military exploits.

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

#OTD in 1604, the 3 year siege of Ostend ended after ‘The Army of Flanders’ led by Spinola retook the city that became a bulwark against the Habsburg rule.

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Although Charles died in Spain, he was given a lavish funeral in Brussels, the capital of his native Low Countries and place where he spent a large part of his life. An empty coffin was carried around through the streets of Brussels.

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

#OTD in 1558, Emperor Charles V died in Yuste. Born (Ghent) and bred (Leuven & Mechelen) in the Low Countries he would become the most powerful man in Europe ruling a massive empire. After a string of abdications he retired to a monastery in Yuste where malaria killed him.

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Voor mijn volgers uit Oostende en omstreken. Nu zaterdag (26 september / 14u) ga ik tijdens het jubileumweekend van Boekhandel Corman in gesprek met VRT journalist Gianni Paelinck over mijn boek ‘Karel V’. Vrije toegang :)

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

#OTD in 1460, musician and composer Gilles Binchois died in Soignies, County of Hainault. Born in Mons, County of Hainault, he was one of the most important European composers of his time and served at the court of the most extravagant rulers in 15th c Europe: the Burgundians

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

The royal box at the Royal Theatre of La Monnaie, Brussels.

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

#OTD in 1322, Count Robert III of Flanders died in Ypres (where he was buried as well). His reign was dominated by his ongoing fight against France (and spent 5 years in French captivity). He was succeeded by his grandson Louis

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Louis XVIII also spent some time in exile in Ghent where he stayed at the Hotel d'Hane Steenhuyse, a palatial mansion in the centre of the city.

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

#OTD in 1824, King Louis XVIII of France died at the Tuileries Palace in Paris. He was the last French monarch to die while still on the

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Cool document: charter signed by Emperor Charles V (September 1531) by which he appoints his sister Mary Regent of the Habsburg Netherlands. State Archives, Ghent, Belgium.

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Hooray! Er komt een tweede druk van ‘Karel V’. Very proud indeed :)

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

#OTD in 1523, Pope Adrian VI died. Born in Utrecht, he studied in Leuven and became young Emperor Charles V’s tutor. Elected Pope in 1522, he was not popular in Rome and even considered boorish (he preferred beer over wine and did not care about the Renaissance).

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

#OTD in 1598, King Philip II of Spain died at El Escorial, the monastery-palace from where he ran his massive empire. Prior to his death he transferred sovereignty of the Habsburg Netherlands to his daughter Isabella.

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

#OTD in 1496, King Francis I of France was born in Cognac. At the time of his birth there was no indication he would ever become King of France. Once he did he became Emperor Charles V’s arch-enemy.

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Who remembers the odd depiction of Emperor Charles V in ‘The Tudors’. In real life he was only 20 years old when he first appeared at the Tudor court an did not speak with a thick Spanish accent (he was raised in the Low Countries and only visited Spain for the 1st time in 1517)

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Remarkable: due to the fires in the High Fens in Belgium, a road, probably built between the late 6th c. and early 8th c., that connected Liège with Aachen has resurfaced. Photo: HBVL

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

#OTD, John the Fearless, Duke of Burgundy and Count of Flanders was murdered on a bridge in Montereau during a chat with the French Dauphin, This killing would have a profound impact on the 100 Years’ War as his son Philip the Good would forge an alliance with the English.

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

#OTD in 1569, painter Pieter Breughel the Elder died in Brussels. He is known for his landscapes, peasant scenes and depicting everyday life in the 16th c. Habsburg Netherlands.

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Hear ye, hear ye! Op 31 oktober geef ik een lezing over ‘Karel V’ tijdens Boektopia in Kortrijk gevolgd door een signeersessie. Een grote eer uiteraard en iedereen is van harte welgekomen! Plus Oultre!

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

The economic, cultural and political powerhouse of 15th c. Europe and yet nobody has ever considered to make a series about this place and its outlandish rulers.

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

The Royal Library in Brussels still holds the first edition of Thomas More’s Utopia (1516). Obviously the book did not have to travel far as the first set was printed in nearby Leuven by famous printer Dirk Martens.

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

St George's Gate in Ghent in 1584, decorated for the entry of Alexander Farnese, Regent of the Habsburg Netherlands (1586-87, Van der Schelden), STAM, Ghent.

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

The ´Porta Regia´ or ´King´s Gate´ in Antwerp. Built in 1624 by Hubrecht van den Eynde in honour of King Philip IV. Photo: Stad Antwerpen

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

As the #bayeuxtapestry has made its ways to the UK, here is a Flemish link: one of the cool ships depicted in the tapestry is the Mora, William the Conqueror’s flagship and a gift from his wife. Mathilda of Flanders, d. of the powerful Count Baldwin V of Flanders.

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Moving picture: Princess Astrid of Norway paying her respects to her younger brother King Harald V of Norway. She is the only sibling left after the death of her sister and brother. #kongharaldv #norway

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Two types of regalia whilst Albert, Sovereign of the Habsburg Netherland, lying in state at the Coudenberg Palace in Brussels (1621). The crown symbolising his sovereign power and the archducal hat symbolising his ancestral title.

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

#OTD in 1467, Holy Roman Empress Eleonore died. Born princess of Portugal, this outgoing royal married the extremely boring and penny pinching Emperor Frederick III in 1452, which led to a pretty unhappy marriage.

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Gillis Hooftman, one of the wealthiest men in 16th c. Antwerp, which at the time was one of the wealthiest cities in Europe. Painting by Marten de Vos.

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Meet Pope Gregory XIV, who only served as pope for less than a year (1590-91). He had the odd tendency to start laughing uncontrollably during random events, including during his own coronation.

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

#OTD in 1715, King Louis XIV of France died at the Palace of Versailles. He ruled France for 72 years and 110 days, the longest of any sovereign monarch in European history.

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Vincenzo DM @vincenzodm.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

During the transfer of King Harald V of Norway to the chapel of the Royal Palace of Oslo, the Crown of Norway was carried around as well. It was made in 1818 for the coronation of King Charles III John at Trondheim #norway #kongharaldv

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