Coronation of Marie de' Medici in St. Denis, 13 May 1610, Peter Paul Rubens (Louvre)

Marie of Brabant, d. of Henry III of Brabant, was born #OTD in 1254 in Leuven. In 1274 she married King Philip III of France as his 2nd wife. At some point she was accused of poisoning Philip's son Louis.

#OTD in 1598, painter Cornelis Schut was born in Antwerp. Less known, but also a magnificent painter and tapestry designer.

The Jesuit church in Antwerp, 1668, painted on marble (& how great is that?) by Wilhelm Schubert van Ehrenberg, who was born OTD 1630. That’s my painting over the high altar, too!

The last known photograph of Queen Maria Henriette of the Belgians, taken a week before her death (Sept 1902). Born in Budapest in 1836 to Joseph of Habsburg, Palatine of Hungary, she married King Leopold II of the Belgians in 1853, the start of a very unhappy marriage.

The tweets that medieval folks did not bathe are pretty weird. People knew how to bathe. One famous example is Philip the Bold who bathed in a bath sprinkled with daisies right before his wedding ceremony to Margaret of Flanders.

#OTD in 1797, the Most Serene Republic of Venice ceased to exist. Once one of Europe's most famous maritime republics it would be carved up between France and the Habsburg monarchy.

#OTD in 1670, Augustus II the Strong, Elector of Saxony, King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania was born. According to some he fathered some 380 chilsren, broke horseshoes with his bare hands and organised animal tossing contests.

A man from Flanders & 2 men from Holland were commissioned to create a tomb that would be considered one o/t grandest medieval tombs. Philip the Bold's tomb was considered a marvel and especially the statues of the 'mourners' were dubbed a wonder. Photos: Wikimedia Commons

One for the The Burgon Society: the robes of members of the Noble Brotherhood of the Holy Blood of Bruges in the 16th c. The brotherhood still organises the procession of the Holy Blood. Photo: KIK-IRPA, Katrien Van Acker

The boar represents Duke Jan III of Brabant and Limburg !

Some 50 years later she was joined by her father Charles the Bold who died in 1477. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Emperor Charles V reflecting on #Eurovision2024

In the late 1480s, Jan Borman and Reinier van Thienen were commissioned to create a tomb for Mary of Burgundy ( Our Lady's Church in Bruges). Based on her instructions one of the grandest tombs of early 16th c. Europe was made. Photo. Wikimedia Commons

Did you know one of the earliest titles published in English, The Game and Playe of Chesse, was actually printed abroad: in Bruges by William Caxton in the 1470s.

Otto van Veen, at his easel, surrounded by the family he supports in style through his art. The cat included. Plus, he was my teacher! So part of today goes to celebrating him.

Cool statue in Antwerp depicting William of Orange and Filips van Marnix van St Aldegonde who served as Mayor of Antwerp when the city was the de facto capital of the rebellious Habsburg Nederlands and was in post during the city's siege (1584-85). Photo: Wikimedia Commons FrDr

Did you know the folks who represented the crown in the Habsburg Nederlands had all sorts of titles, ranging from Regent to Governor-General, but the coolest one was 'Landvoogd' aka 'Guardian of the Land'

The senate chambre at the Palace of the Nation in Brussels. Louis Gallait's portraits of various historical figures, ranging from Jan II of Brabant to Charles V, are the eye-catcher here. Photo: Senaat.

#OTD in 1940, Germany invaded Belgium, the start of the 18 Days' Campaign after which the country would be occupied till 1944-early 1945.