Antwerp

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A rich history of Antwerp unfolds through the lens of its vibrant past, showcasing a North Sea port that rivaled the likes of nineteenth-century Paris and twentieth-century New York. For much of the sixteenth century, Antwerp was a hub of rule-breaking—religious, sexual, and intellectual. It was a city where fortunes were made, and ambitions reshaped its very landscape. Wealthy figures transformed the financial landscape, while a remarkable woman led one of Europe's grandest banking families, offering refuge to Jews fleeing the Portuguese Inquisition. Notable intellectuals and artists found their footing here: Thomas More introduced Utopia, Erasmus contemplated money, and William Tyndale smuggled his English Bible before meeting his end. Pieter Bruegel captured the essence of the city in his art. However, Antwerp's rebellious spirit was crushed when it revolted against Spanish rule, leading to a loss of glory and a conformist era. The city’s records were destroyed, and its vibrant history was obscured. Michael Pye embarks on a journey to rediscover this lost Antwerp, drawing from novels, paintings, songs, and historical archives. He paints a picture of a city shaped by fire, plague, and violence, yet resilient in its quest for power in a post-feudal world. This is the Antwerp that stood as a proud exception in European history.