‘Karel V’ is vandaag vertrokken naar de drukker om zo op 13 maart het levenslicht te zien. Een bijzonder lange tijd doorgebracht met de Habsburger en ik hoop dat er veel interesse zal zijn in het fascinerende leven van de keizer.

#OTD in 1771, King Adolf Frederik of Sweden died. A popular story claims he died after eating 14 portions of hetvägg: pastries and hot milk.

More European summit locations! Today the European Industry Summit will take place in Antwerp at the Bourse, symbol of Antwerp’s role as Europe’s most important trade hub in the 16th c. Photos: Tim Fisher / Wikipedia

Cool, a pavilion in Mons, Belgium, that was built in 1531, dedicated to Emperor Charles V, and collapsed in the 1950s after a storm has received funding to be rebuilt - as the fragments have been kept -

European leaders are meeting at Alden Biesen, Belgium, today. An impressive castle dating back to the 13th c that once served as the HQ of the local branch of the Teutonic Order.

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

Did you know medieval Bruges was so rich Joan, Queen of France and Navarre apparently felt somewhat underdressed when she visited the city in 1301 as she spotted the inhabitants dressed in the finest robes available at the time.

#OTD in 1259, Thomas, Count of Savoye died. In 1233 he married Joanne, Countess of Flanders and Hainaut. He actively participated in the rule of his wife’s counties before she died in 1244

#OTD in 1497, Johannes Ockeghem, one of the most important composers in 15th c. Europe died. Born in the county of Hainaut, Burgundian Netherlands, he was active in Antwerp before moving to France where he would serve various kings

View on Antwerp anno 1540, when the city was Europe’s most important trading hub. Antwerpia in Brabancia, MAS, Antwerp.

Cool ! Now official confirmation archeologists have discovered remnants in Zottegem, Belgium of what once was a massive Roman army camp.

#OTD in 1732, the court and people of Brussels took stock of the fire that destroyed the grand Coudenberg Palace the previous night. They found some walls standing, but mostly burnt rubble. The 700 year old palace was no more.

#OTD in 1731, a fire started at the Coudenberg Palace in Brussels. This royal (and once imperial) residence was one of the grandest palaces in Europe, but would be reduced to rubble by the next morning.

Woop, woop ! ‘Karel V’ vertrekt bijna naar de drukker. Het boek met een magistrale cover en 320 pagina’s boordevol 16de eeuwse politiek en intriges bijna verkrijgbaar (13 maart)

A copy of the New Testament, printed in 1526 by Willem Vorsterman in Europe’ printing capital Antwerp. The book was still in use in the 1790s. Photo: Plantin-Moretus Museum, Antwerp.

#OTD in 1711, Wenzel Anton, Prince of Kaunitz-Rietberg, was born. He would serve as State Chancellor of the Habsburg empire, but also served as First Minister of the Habsburg Netherlands until had to flee Brussels in 1746 after the French invasion

#OTD in 1248, Duke Henry II of Brabant died in Leuven. He was offered to become King of the Romans but declined and pushed for his nephew William II of Holland to receive that honour

#OTD in 1722, Augustus II, Elector of Saxony and King of Poland/Grand Duke of Lithuania died. Nicknamed ‘the Strong’ some claimed he could bend horseshoes with his bare hands and fathered roughly 350 children.

This is Nikolaas Rockox, who served as Mayor of Antwerp, and owned a fantastic collection that was probably worth loads of cash in today's money: he owned 82 paintings (incl. Rubens, Antoon van Dyck, Breughel..etc.), over 1000 old Roman and Greek coins and over 200 rare books.

As if 2026 hasn’t been horrid enough already, today we also lost Moira Rose, Delia Deetz and Kate McCallister. RIP Catherine O’Hara #catherineohara

#OTD in 1384, Count Louis II of Flanders died after an eventful reign which included revolts and tricky international politics (100 Years’ War). He commissioned a grand chapel in Kortrijk where would be buried, but opted for another location in the end. Photo: city of Kortrijk

The Plantin-Moretus Museum in Antwerp. In the 16th c. this was the most important and largest printing business in Europe. The museum still holds the oldest still existing printing presses in the world.

Belgium does not have a Speech from the Throne, but we have the next best thing: the king’s address to the ‘official bodies’. And the setting is pretty cool.

Vandaag in 1521 begon de Rijksdag van Worms waarbij Karel V, die op een bepaald moment uit zijn sloffen schoot, ene Martin Luther onderworp aan een kruisverhoor. Uiteraard allemaal te lezen in mijn nieuwe boek ‘Karel V’ dat op 13 maart verschijnt :)

#OTD in 814, Charles the Great aka Charlemagne died in Aachen. King of the Franks and Emperor of the Romans hé had a massive impact on European history. He was probably born in the Liège area (present day Belgium

Cool 14th c. wooden chest built to hold the charters of the city of Antwerp. It has various locks and key were held by different magistrates at the same time. The chest is still being held at the city hall of Antwerp. Photo: kabinet v/d burgemeester.

One of the most urbanised and richest areas in 16th c. Europe. Antwerp was considered the premier economic hub in 16th c. Europe, whilst Brussels was known as the ‘princely city’ where an Emperor, kings and queens dwelled in grand palaces.

#OTD in 1559, King Christian II of Denmark, Sweden and Norway. After he had to flee his realms he settled in Lier, Habsburg Netherlands - the land of his brother-in-law Charles V -. He tried to reclaim his thrones, but was captured and spent the rest of his life in captivity.

#OTD in 1742, Charles Albert of Bavaria was elected Holy Roman Emperor. The first non-Habsburg Emperor in many centuries and the 3rd Holy Roman Emperor born in what is now Belgium (he was born at the Coudenberg Palace in Brussels)

#OTD in 1516 King Ferdinand II of Aragon died. Following the death of his first wife Isabella of Castile, he remarried in an attempt stop his grandson Charles succeeding him. It was not meant to be as Charles was proclaimed king in Brussels.

Charles V was very much aware of his appearance and therefore disliked speaking in public.

The lion of Brabant, carried around during the funeral of Albert, Sovereign of the Habsburg Netherlands, in Brussels (1622). The lion is still very much a key symbol of the Kingdom of Belgium.

Just a reminder when you report on the Belgian king: his title is not ‘King of Belgium’ but ‘King of the Belgians’ ! #Davos

The borders of the prince-bishopric of Liège (in present day Belgium) were sort of bonkers.

sabella, Sovereign of the Habsburg Netherlands, participating in a crossbow competition in Ghent (1618). Her husband Albert is watching from a short distance. STAM, Ghent.

#OTD in 1526, Isabella of Austria died in Ghent. Sister of Emperor Charles V, she married Christian II of Denmark, Sweden and Norway. She was buried at the church of St Pieter's Abbey in Ghent (see drawing) before she was moved to Denmark.

#OTD in 1586, Margaret of Parma died. Born as illegitimate d. of Charles V in Oudenaarde, she would rule as Regent of the Habsburg Netherlands on behalf of her half-brother Philip II. A formidable and underrated woman.

Mijn boekpresentatie in Gent is in minder dan 6 dagen volledig uitverkocht. Er is overduidelijk animo om meer te weten te komen over keizer Karel V en zijn fascinerend leven :)

#OTD in 1342, Philip the Bold was born as son of King Jean II of France. He would fight in battles, but his most famous legacy was his marriage to Margaret III of Flanders laying the groundwork for one of the most powerful entities in late medieval Europe.

Cool ! In Aalter, Belgium, archeologists have uncovered grave sites dating back to roughly 1800 BC! Photo: Ruben Willaert nv

#OTD in 1556, Charles V handed over the Spanish crowns to his son Philip. Charles signed the documents at his residence in Brussels without any pomp and circumstance.

Bijna de helft van de tickets zijn reeds de deur uit ! Geïnteresseerden in de boekpresentatie van de fantastische nieuwe biografie over keizer Karel V op 22 maart in Gent kunnen zich nog altijd melden. Gratis toegang :) www.burenvandeabdij.be/kalender/boe...

The Mary Rose ? The Vasa ? Well, I present to you the 'Fin de la Guerre' a massive ship built by Antwerp during the city's siege (1584-1585). The ship was essentially a floating castle that could man 1000 musketeers & countless pieces of artillery. It was so heavy it ran aground.

#OTD in 1507, Catherine of Austria, was born in Torquemada. She was Emperor Charles V’s youngest sister and the only sister not born and raised in the Low Countries. In 1525 she became queen of Portugal after marrying king John III.

Damen en heren ! Op 22 maart 2026 stel ik mijn nieuwe boek ‘Karel V’ voor in Gent. Iedereen welgekomen (gratis mits inschrijving!). Plus oultre ! www.burenvandeabdij.be/kalender/boe...

#OTD in 1519, Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I died. He was succeeded by his grandson Charles who became Charles V. Maximilian hit the jackpot when he married Mary of Burgundy enabling the Habsburgs to take over the wealthy Low Countries.

#OTD in 1597, Baroque sculptor François Duquesnoy was born in Brussels. People who travel to Rome can spot his masterpiece ‘St Andrew’ at St. Peter's Basilica.

Happy 800th birthday to St. Michael and St. Gudula’s Cathedral in Brussels ! In 1226 duke Henry I of Brabant commissioned the construction of a new gothic church to replace a romanesque church.

The state was a confederal republic, but when the whole project was imploding and Habsburg troops were approaching the government in Brussels was considering to offer Archduke Charles of Austria to become Grand Duke of Belgium.

Mag ik het spijtig vinden dat de directrice van het Coudenbergpaleis het bestaan van mijn boek over paleis niet lijkt te erkennen als een van de redenen waarom het paleis populairder is geworden en meer bezoekers heeft aangetrokken dit jaar. bx1.be/categories/c...