#OTD in 1914, Germany invaded Belgium. The same day King Albert I of the Belgians held a speech at the Belgian Parliament during which he vowed to resist the German troops #WWI

#OTD in 1914, the Crown Council chaired by King Albert I of the Belgians decided to refuse the German ultimatum. The previous day the Germans asked Belgium for passage towards France. Belgium decided to uphold its neutrality

In this Cathedral in Mechelen, young Emperor Charles V performed his first official duty as the 7 year old monarch presided over the memorial service of his father Philip (1507)

Paid a visit to Mechelen, once the capital of the Habsburg Netherlands and place where the most powerful man in 16th c. Europe was raised.

#OTD in 1396, Philip the Good, one of the most powerful men in 15th c. Europe was. He ruled the wealhiest bit of Europe and presided over a court that made some emperors and kings look like paupers. Fascinating man.

Photograph of King Leopold I of the Belgians (1860s). Royal Collection Trust.

Cool picture of the Castle of Wijnendale near Bruges. Going strong since the 11th c. and the castle is still inhabited to this very day. The place has received counts, dukes, kings and emperors. Photo: Brugse Ommelanden.

Everyone: “Painters were usually poor when still alive.'' Baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens: '' hold my palatial mansion in Antwerp.''

Cool! A coded letter from the Duke of Alva, Regent of the Habsburg Netherlands, sent to his envoy in London, François de Hallewyn (1571). State Archives, Namur, Belgium.

#OTD in 1214, King Philip II August of France achieved a massive victory at Bouvines (Anglo-French War). Ferdinand, Count of Flanders, an ally of King John, was captured and would spend years in French captivity.

Goed nieuws! Work in progress! Stay tuned voor meer updates over de keizer Karel V podcast :)

Vincenzo DM@vincenzodm.bsky.social · 3w ago

Marktbevraging! Is er enige interesse in een serie podcasts over het leven en welzijn van keizer Karel V. Uiteraard dient mijn boek als basis :)

#OTD in 1581 werd het Plakkaat der Verlatinghe aangenomen waarbij Filips II als vorst v/d Habsburgse Nederlanden werd afgezet. Vaak vergeten, maar dit document was ook voor het Zuiden belangrijk: Brabant, Vlaanderen & Mechelen tekenden ook en een Antwerpenaar stelde de tekst

#OTD in 1581 werd het Plakkaat der Verlatinghe aangenomen waarbij Filips II als vorst v/d Habsburgse Nederlanden werd afgezet. Vaak vergeten, maar dit document was ook voor het Zuiden belangrijk: Brabant, Vlaanderen & Mechelen tekenden ook en een Antwerpenaar stelde de tekst

#OTD in 1876, Queen Elisabeth of the Belgians was born in Possenhofen, Bavaria. A member of the Wittelsbach family (her aunt was Sissi) she married King Albert I of the Belgians in 1900. She was known as a strong willed woman who loved music and arts

#OTD in 1554, Philip of Habsburg and Queen Mary Tudor got married at Winchester Cathedral. If the couple would have had kids their oldest child would have inherited England and the Habsburg Netherlands. That union would have changed the course of history.

#OTD in 1345, rebel leader Jacob van Artevelde was murdered at his house in Ghent. He led the revolt against the pro-French Count of Flanders Louis I and became an ally of English king Edward III.

Morgen trekken de stroppendragers door Gent. Wat nu een geuzennaam is geworden herinnert aan de Gentse Opstand in 1539/1540 waarna stadsgenoot keizer Karel V de stad zwaar strafte. Wie meer wil weten mag altijd mijn biografie over de Habsburger lezen :)

Tomorrow, the parade of the noose bearers will march through Ghent, Belgium. It commemorates events in 1540 when Emperor Charles V punished his city of birth after a revolt against high taxes erupted. Charles V demanded the city’s elite begged for mercy wearing a noose.

Did you know the core collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna came from Brussels? It was Leopold Wilhelm, who served as Regent of the Habsburg Netherlands in the 17th c, who amassed the collection at his palace in Brussels before taking it to Vienna.

#OTD in 1461, king Charles VII died aged 58 after lingering in anguish for months. During his reign France recovered almost all territory (except Calais) from the English and thus won the 100 Years’ War.

Before he became King, Leopold already had a fascinating life. Dubbed ‘Europe’s most handsome prince’ by Napoleon, he fought in the Napoleonic Wars, married Charlotte of Wales, who was destined to become British Queen, and was even offered the Greek crown.

Vincenzo DM@vincenzodm.bsky.social · 2w ago

#OTD in 1831, Leopold of Saxe-Coburg und Gotha was inaugurated in Brussels as King Leopold I of the Belgians after swearing the constitutional oath. At the time that constitution was one of the most liberal documents in the world.

#OTD in 1831, Leopold of Saxe-Coburg und Gotha was inaugurated in Brussels as King Leopold I of the Belgians after swearing the constitutional oath. At the time that constitution was one of the most liberal documents in the world.

So now it is official: the only country during this #worldcup that was able to score a goal against #spain  #belgium  One for the history books!

And the most fascinating bit: that 7 year old boy would become Europe’s most powerful man before his 20th birthday.

Vincenzo DM@vincenzodm.bsky.social · 3w ago

#OTD in 1507, 7 year old Charles of Habsburg was officially proclaimed Lord of the Habsburg Netherlands at St Michael and Goedele’s Church in Brussels. His father Philip the Handsome passed away the previous year.

#OTD in 1507, 7 year old Charles of Habsburg was officially proclaimed Lord of the Habsburg Netherlands at St Michael and Goedele’s Church in Brussels. His father Philip the Handsome passed away the previous year.

#OTD in 1119, Count Baldwin VII of Flanders died after his head was hit by a lance. His death meant the end of the ‘House of Flanders’ that had reigned over the county since 862. Before his death he appointed his Danish cousin prince Charles as new

Marktbevraging! Is er enige interesse in een serie podcasts over het leven en welzijn van keizer Karel V. Uiteraard dient mijn boek als basis :)

The ruins of Ghent’s St Baafs’ Abbey will receive some much needed funding to maintain its preservation. The Abbey was founded in the 7th c. and closed by Emperor Charles V in 1540 as punishment for the city’s revolt. Photo: Visit Gent

A forgotten entity in what is now Belgium: the semi-independent imperial county of Rekem. Emperor Ferdinand II elevated the barony to imperial county. The counts ruled from the Castle of d'Aspremont-Lynden until they were deposed in 1795.

Did you know the weird confederal republic known as the 'United Belgian States' (existed for a year in 1790) after the Habsburg Netherlands deposed Joseph II as their Lord was considering to offer Archduke Charles of Austria the position of Grand Duke of Belgium.