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Simon Nichelson
Simon Nichelson

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Apr 4, 2022

From Rags to Riches: 900–1128

The Flooded Fields of Flanders It was as if the hammer of his legendary ancestor Charles Martel had struck him on the head with full force. King Charles the Bald momentarily looked incredulous, struggling to arrange his thoughts, his bloodshot eyes fixed upon the trembling messenger. Rage crawled up his spine and filled his booming…

Flanders

23 min read

From Rags to Riches: 900–1128
From Rags to Riches: 900–1128
Flanders

23 min read


Feb 10, 2021

Recogne

Traduttore, traditore, so the Italians claim. To translate is to betray. The translator is a traitor. Traitor, that’s the exact word many staunch Nazi-supporters mentioned in the same breath as the name Marlene Dietrich, the German diva who opposed the Nazi regime. Yet both the immigrant translator and the performer…

World War II

4 min read

Recogne
Recogne
World War II

4 min read


Jan 27, 2021

De kanarie van de kennis

Academische historici en literaire vertellers van de geschiedenis meanderden de afgelopen week door discussies over de rol van verhalende geschiedschrijving voor een groot publiek. Een verhit debat, getuige de vele karikaturen die in het rond vlogen. Bart Van Loo werd weggezet als een schrijver van louter de geschiedenis van Grote…

3 min read

3 min read


Dec 15, 2020

The Cuckoo’s Egg

This is part of a book I am preparing about the history of Belgium. If you like it, don’t hesitate to reach out (@simonnichelson on twitter) or recommend me to a publisher. Walking along the canals and the little cobbled streets of Ghent, lined with brick facades of historical houses…

History

6 min read

The Cuckoo’s Egg
The Cuckoo’s Egg
History

6 min read


Dec 5, 2020

The Collateral Damage of Crusading: 1099–1300

This is part of a book I am preparing about the history of Belgium. If you like it, don’t hesitate to reach out (@simonnichelson on twitter) or recommend me to a publisher. Deus Lo Vult! In the middle of the Place Royale in Brussels stands the proud equestrian statue of a medieval knight…

23 min read

The Collateral Damage of Crusading: 1099–1300
The Collateral Damage of Crusading: 1099–1300

23 min read


Nov 29, 2020

The English King of Ghent

This is part of a book I am preparing about the history of Belgium. If you like it, don’t hesitate to reach out (@simonnichelson on twitter) or recommend me to a publisher). The English King Edward III stormed out of his tent, chasing after the Duke of Brabant. As the…

History

9 min read

The English King of Ghent
The English King of Ghent
History

9 min read


Oct 19, 2020

Geef het lijden een gezicht

In het debat over dekolonisatie en herininneringscultuur staan twee benaderingen lijnrecht tegenover elkaar. Verwijderen tegenover bewaren, vergeten tegenover contextualiseren. Beide posities hebben hun eigen problemen. Daarom stel ik een nieuwe benadering voor, een additieve herinneringscultuur, die deze ‘cultural war’ hopelijk enigszins overstijgt. Het ‘activistische’ kamp wil een einde maken aan…

Colonialism

3 min read

Geef het lijden een gezicht
Geef het lijden een gezicht
Colonialism

3 min read


Jul 21, 2020

The 600 Spartans of Liège (and why it’s nonsense)

1914. King Albert I and the Belgian government are desperately trying to preserve Belgium’s neutrality as Gavrilo Princip’s trigger-happy finger has plunged Europe into war. The German army demanded passage through Belgium to attack France. …

Burgundy

6 min read

The 600 Spartans of Liège (and why it’s nonsense)
The 600 Spartans of Liège (and why it’s nonsense)
Burgundy

6 min read


Jul 11, 2020

The Flemish Sack of Constantinople

The date was 24 of February of the year 1200. After the end of mass, Baldwin IX[i], Count of Flanders and Hainaut, stood before the congregation in the Saint-Donatian’s church in Bruges, on the exact spot where his predecessor Charles the Good had been slain three quarters of a century…

Hagia Sophia

8 min read

The Flemish Sack of Constantinople
The Flemish Sack of Constantinople
Hagia Sophia

8 min read


Jul 10, 2020

Why is the Battle of Golden Spurs the Flemish ‘national’ Holiday?

Why is the Battle of Golden Spurs the Flemish ‘national’ Holiday? The 11th of July is the Flemish counterpart to the 4th of July and the Bastille day, the Quatorze Juilliet. On the 11th of July, The Flemish community commemorates the Battle of the Golden Spurs, fought over 7 centuries…

History

15 min read

Why is the Battle of Golden Spurs the Flemish ‘national’ Holiday?
Why is the Battle of Golden Spurs the Flemish ‘national’ Holiday?
History

15 min read

Simon Nichelson

Simon Nichelson

8 Followers
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