An Italian view of the Netherlands - Lodovico Guicciardini

Lodovico Guicciardini (1521–1589) was an Italian merchant who worked from 1541 onwards in the Antwerp branch of his family’s business. He remained in Antwerp until his death. His career took a new turn in 1552, when he began writing, an activity which, according to Guicciardini himself, brought him more income than his work as a merchant.

In this book, Guicciardini describes all the cities of the Netherlands. He writes about the economy, governance, language, flora, fauna and customs of the prosperous Low Countries. Remarkably, he devotes particular attention to his place of residence, Antwerp. Of its inhabitants he writes: “They are experienced and skilled in trading all over the world; even women, though they have never been abroad, can speak three or four, some five, six or even seven languages - such a marvellous and astonishing thing this is.”