You'd Like To Know a Bit of Netherlands History, Wooden Shoe?

You'd Like To Know a Bit of Netherlands History,

Wooden Shoe?

Back in the mists of time, Celtic and Germanic hunter-gatherers  populated this area of Europe. In the Roman Era, the tribal lands of Frisians, Saxons and Franks came under the control of Charlemagne and his Frankish Empire. Present day Belgium and the Netherlands were administered as one. As early as the 11th century water management was required for people to carve out a living in the low-lying marshlands. 

In the 16th century, King Philip ll of Spain took control. His heavy taxes and persecution of Protestants led to the Dutch Revolt in 1568. William Prince of Orange united the northern Protestant provinces and declared an independent Dutch Republic in1581. To this day all Dutch culture celebrates the colour orange. 

The Dutch became a global Maritime power during the Age of Colonization, and was the financial centre of Europe. It's fostering of intellectual freedom, liberal outlook and religious tolerance attracted "cultured" intelligentsia as well as "radical" scientists and artists. And still today it is one of the most liberal countries on the planet. The Dutch East India Company and tulip fever filled the coffers. 

For a time, tulips were costlier than gold. The rarest bulbs (Semper Augustus) sold for up to 10 000 guilders per bulb, which would buy a huge luxurious mansion on The Grand Canal. I highly recommend the movie "Tulip Fever". Alicia Vikander and her lover invest in the "tulip mania". Christoph Waltz, Judy Dench and Holliday Grainger are also featured in the movie. 

In 1795, Napoleon's armies invaded and the Netherlands was formally annexed into the French Empire in 1810. Following Napoleon's defeat, the Congress of Vienna established the United Kingdom of the Netherlands which included present day Belgium and Luxembourg. Shortly after, the Catholic southern provinces revolted and Belgium was granted its independence 1830. 

You might be sleeping after reading this, but I find it most interesting that two countries of common origin evolved into such different, distinct and polar opposite cultures. Hmmmm.....remind you of Canada and the U.S.?

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