Economic development, urbanisation and political organisation in the late medieval southern Low Countries

Abstract

When assessing political, economic, social or cultural flows in the Low Countries from the 12th to the 16th century, a continuous shift of the centre of gravity within this region can be noticed. Political and economic developments, urbanisation, new social experiences and cultural innovation, all these elements experienced their first developments in the most southern regions during the 11th and 12th centuries (Walloon-Flanders and Artois). From the 12th century onwards, there was a clear geographical shift in favour of the principalities north of actual northern France. First, the county of Flanders, later on from the 13th century also the duchy of Brabant and the county of Holland, were in the forefront of innovation and economic growth.