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The Worlds of the Renaissance: Projects - Krista Scott
The Lowlands

The Cuftoms and manner of liuing of the People of thes Low countreys, are thefe that follow. The customs and ways of living of the People of the Lowlands [present-day portions of the Netherlands, Belgium, & Luxembourg].

Firft, as touching the ftature both of the men and Women it is very beautifull, their perfonage verie tall, and all their members in very good proportion, efpeciallie theire leggs, but theire ftature is not fo tall as in Caefars time, either becaufe of theyr mixture with ftrangers, or of the quality of their meates and maner of liuing altred from that age. First, the physical appearance of the men and women is very beautiful - their body parts are all in perfect proportion, especially their legs. They're not as tall as in Caesar's time [Roman Empire] either because they've intermarried with other peoples or they eat different food and live differently now.

They were the firft people in France or Germanie, that receiued Chrift. They were the first Christians in France and Germany.

They are valiant as writeth Caefar in thefe words Horum omnium fortiffimi funt Belgae. They are brave as Caesar noted when he said, "Of these the strongest aree the Belgians."

They are very skilful mariners and their Hoies are excellent good to brooke the Seas, by reafon whereof they difpatch their voyages foomer than any other nation. They are very skillful sailors with hardy ships that cut through the seas, thus they are able to travel and reach destinations sooner than other countries.

They all haue fome fmackering of their Grammer, and euery one, yea euery husbandman can write and read. They all have some education and every single man can read and write.

An infinite number yea of thofe that neuer were out of the Countreye, befides their owne language, fpeake French, and manye Allemaine, Italian, Englifh, Spanifh. A huge number of them have never been out of their own country, yet speak their own language and French. Many others also speak German, Italian, English, and Spanish.

They are skilfull in Merchandife, and excell in all Arts, namely, making of Wollen, Tapiftrey, Sayes, Wufteds, Ruffels, Linnen, Fuftian, and other Merchandifes and fmall Mercery wares of all forts and prifes, which are fent into the whole World: Now alfo they make Silks and wrought Veluets, after the manner of the people of the Leuant. They are skillful in producing merchandise such as wool, tapestry, linen and other fabric goods of all sorts and prices which are traded around the world. Now they also make silks and woven velvets like the people who live around the Mediterranean.

They inuented the Arte of painting, and the making of Linnen and Wollen Cloth: yea they taught the Englifhmen the Art of making Wollen cloathes and of Diyng, about the yeare of our Lord 1404. who till that time were vtterlie ignorant therof, and came into Flaunders where they learned it. They invented the art of painting and making linen and wool. They taught the English to make any dye woolen clothing around 1404. The English knew nothing about it before that time when they came to Flanders [parts of present-day Belgium and France].

They are naturallie Muficions, and reftored Muficke to hir perfection. They are natural musicians and brought music to perfection.

They are not ambitious, but they are great builders, and great Iefters: They are couetous, credulous, and eafie to be abufed, Beneficorum fimul & iniurarum immemores. They aren't ambitious but are great builders. They are courteous and kind with their kindness easily taken advantage of. "They are forgetful of both kindnesses and injuries."

The Women gouerne all, both within the doores and without, and make all bargaines, which ioyned with the naturall defire that Women haue to beare rule, maketh them too too imperious and troublefome. The women govern everything both indoors and out, and make all sales bargains. This joined with women's natural desire to rule everything makes them [women] too proud and troublesome.

The eldest Daughter is of the greateft reputation yet hath no larger portion than the reft. They marrie their children into ftrange towns, yea and Forraine Countreys, and marry Noble with ignoble, yoong with olde, maifter and feruant, which is not commendable. The oldest daughter is the most favored, but she doesn't get any more of the family goods than her siblings. The Lowlanders marry their children to people from other towns and even foreigners. They marry high class to low class, young to old, and master to servant which is not admirable.

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The Cuftoms and manner of liuing of the People of thes Low countreys, are thefe that follow.	The customs and ways of living of the People of the Lowlands [present-day portions of the Netherlands, Belgium, & Luxembourg].
Firft, as touching the ftature both of the men and Women it is very beautifull, their perfonage verie tall, and all their members in very good proportion, efpeciallie theire leggs, but theire ftature is not fo tall as in Caefars time, either becaufe of theyr mixture with ftrangers, or of the quality of their meates and maner of liuing altred from that age.	First, the physical appearance of the men and women is very beautiful - their body parts are all in perfect proportion, especially their legs. They're not as tall as in Caesar's time [Roman Empire] either because they've intermarried with other peoples or they eat different food and live differently now.
They were the firft people in France or Germanie, that receiued Chrift.	They were the first Christians in France and Germany.
They are valiant as writeth Caefar in thefe words Horum omnium fortiffimi funt Belgae.	They are brave as Caesar noted when he said, "Of these the strongest aree the Belgians."
They are very skilful mariners and their Hoies are excellent good to brooke the Seas, by reafon whereof they difpatch their voyages foomer than any other nation.	They are very skillful sailors with hardy ships that cut through the seas, thus they are able to travel and reach destinations sooner than other countries.
They all haue fome fmackering of their Grammer, and euery one, yea euery husbandman can write and read.	They all have some education and every single man can read and write.
An infinite number yea of thofe that neuer were out of the Countreye, befides their owne language, fpeake French, and manye Allemaine, Italian, Englifh, Spanifh.	A huge number of them have never been out of their own country, yet speak their own language and French. Many others also speak German, Italian, English, and Spanish.
They are skilfull in Merchandife, and excell in all Arts, namely, making of Wollen, Tapiftrey, Sayes, Wufteds, Ruffels, Linnen, Fuftian, and other Merchandifes and fmall Mercery wares of all forts and prifes, which are fent into the whole World: Now alfo they make Silks and wrought Veluets, after the manner of the people of the Leuant.	They are skillful in producing merchandise such as wool, tapestry, linen and other fabric goods of all sorts and prices which are traded around the world. Now they also make silks and woven velvets like the people who live around the Mediterranean.
They inuented the Arte of painting, and the making of Linnen and Wollen Cloth: yea they taught the Englifhmen the Art of making Wollen cloathes and of Diyng, about the yeare of our Lord 1404. who till that time were vtterlie ignorant therof, and came into Flaunders where they learned it.	They invented the art of painting and making linen and wool. They taught the English to make any dye woolen clothing around 1404. The English knew nothing about it before that time when they came to Flanders [parts of present-day Belgium and France].
They are naturallie Muficions, and reftored Muficke to hir perfection.	They are natural musicians and brought music to perfection.
They are not ambitious, but they are great builders, and great Iefters: They are couetous, credulous, and eafie to be abufed, Beneficorum fimul & iniurarum immemores.	They aren't ambitious but are great builders. They are courteous and kind with their kindness easily taken advantage of. "They are forgetful of both kindnesses and injuries."
The Women gouerne all, both within the doores and without, and make all bargaines, which ioyned with the naturall defire that Women haue to beare rule, maketh them too too imperious and troublefome.	The women govern everything both indoors and out, and make all sales bargains. This joined with women's natural desire to rule everything makes them [women] too proud and troublesome.
The eldest Daughter is of the greateft reputation yet hath no larger portion than the reft. They marrie their children into ftrange towns, yea and Forraine Countreys, and marry Noble with ignoble, yoong with olde, maifter and feruant, which is not commendable.	The oldest daughter is the most favored, but she doesn't get any more of the family goods than her siblings. The Lowlanders marry their children to people from other towns and even foreigners. They marry high class to low class, young to old, and master to servant which is not admirable.