leidenspecialcollectionsblog

dr. G.A.C. van der Lem is Scaliger fellow and former Curator of Early Printed and Rare Books at Leiden University

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William of Orange welcomed in Brussels as a liberator

On September 24th, 1577, church bells rung for the father of the fatherland. The rejoicing was general, people were sweeping the tears from their eyes. Alas, two years later, the unity of the Netherlands had already been undone.

Anton van der Lem • September 14, 2009

Raise the anchor and hoist the sails: a curious signalling book used by the Dutch navy

How did ships maintain contact with each other, not only during the voyage, but above all during battle? A system of signalling had been devised by means of flags, the firing of cannon or lanterns.

Anton van der Lem • June 04, 2009

9 april 1609: True picture of the gentlemen ambassadors and deputies to the Truce

After forty years the Republic of the United Provinces agreed with the Royal Provinces (Northern and Southern Netherlands, respectively) to lay down arms for a period of twelve years.

Anton van der Lem • April 09, 2009