The origin and the development of the Brabantine Nation (1355-1406). Historical Representation or Historiographical Construction?

Abstract

Was there a nation in Brabant in the XIVth century? Which form did such a concept take? Which actors – ducal, official, urban, nobles, etc. – had their place in it and what role did they all take? Through the cross-referencing of this book’s research on premodern nations, with the Belgian historiography constructing the Brabant nation, and the medieval chronicles, our analysis tends to prove the existence of a nation in the territories inherited by the duchess Joanna and her husband, Wenceslas of Luxembourg. The premises for such a construction were set early on in Brabant, Limbourg and the Outre-Meuse lands, thanks to the Charter of Kortenberg. However, the XIXth century historians put an emphasis on the Joyous Entry as the main symbol of the creation of a nation in Brabant in 1356. This research tries to find a more subtle definition by balancing the different charters – the Joyous Entry as well as the Kortenberg charter – with the political roles of the different groups and the exterior sources of authority