A beginner's guide to the Northern Renaissance

Brought to you by Smarthistory. In the 15th century, the northern European countries we know today as Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg were controlled by the enormously wealthy Dukes of Burgundy (Burgundy is a region in France). Today, this 15th century region is often referred to as the Burgundian Netherlands. The Dukes of Burgundy were the most important patrons of the early Northern Rena