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:
The terms 'Fleming' and 'Flemings' (''Vlaming'' and ''Vlamingen'' in Dutch) denote respectively a person and people, and 'the Flemings' or 'the Flemish' (always ''de Vlamingen'') or 'the Flemish people' (''het Vlaamse volk'') the population forming a community of more than six million people and the majority of all Belgians, of Flanders, the northern half of the country.
Modern[4] Flanders however, does not correspond closely to the former County of Flanders, which included parts of present-day France and the Netherlands and did not include the central and eastern parts of present-day Flanders, which were part of other Holy Roman fiefs, chiefly the Duchy of Brabant and the County of Loon. Within proper context, the term 'Fleming' may still refer specifically to a native of West Flanders or East Flanders, the two provinces in Belgium that were part of the former county, or rarely to a native of other parts of that county who speaks a Dutch dialect from the Flemish county or the standard Dutch language. This original usage may similarly occur for the plural forms.
The native Flemings descend from Germanic tribes, predominantly Franks, and mixed Celtic-Germanic "Gaulish" tribes who had lived in the same region even before Roman times.[5] In the first instance, Flemish culture is defined by its West Germanic language, Dutch, shared with most people in the Netherlands, as opposed to the Francophone compatriots within Belgium. Contrary to popular belief, a Flemish literature does exist, though Flemish literary schools are also present within the Dutch literature as a whole. Books written by Flemings and by Dutch people are read by Dutch-speakers worldwide. It does not make a difference that most readers are able to distinguish fine differences, mainly in vocabulary. In a wider sense, Flemings read many books written in other languages: not only English (dominating scientific and professional literature), but also French or German, and reasonable quantities of other literary production.
For students, the intellectual norm in Flanders means learning two or even three foreign languages (at least two are obligatory in most secondary school programs, generally French and English, but also German and/or a languages chosen from a supplementary list) to a higher standard than in most countries. Cosmopolitanism is a historical constant in Flanders' very open economy, while the mainly Anglo-Saxon orientation is a rather recent phenomenon as, until the 1960s, Flanders was heavily dominated by French culture (as long imposed by the Belgian state), which now only is an honorable second. Proficiency in English has greatly improved during the last half century, whereas proficiency in French and German has decreased somewhat. Proficiency in other languages widened, and improved, although some companies complain about a seemingly eternal lack of sufficient German-speakers.
The official language of Flanders is Dutch (at the Belgian - federal - level at par with French, and to a lesser extent German; the language legislation is complex and politically extremely sensitive). The local dialects are diverse, but each belongs to one of the three crossborder dialect groups also spoken in the Netherlands.
Dialects tended to be very strong, almost particular to every locality. Since World War II, the influence of radio, television, and with more people moving out of their region of birth, the use of the original dialects tends to decrease. Differences between the regional dialects erode and new types of intermediate dialects appear, including a non-standardized mix of standard Dutch with 'cleaned-up' dialect. This is often called'' 'tussentaal' ''('language-in-between') or, derogatorily,'' 'verkavelingsvlaams' ''(speech as where Flemish people from diverse locations and dialects become neighbours in a newly built-up out of town quarter). In Brussels, the local dialect is heavily influenced by French, both in pronunciation, as in vocabulary. Only a small number (''c''. 150,000) of the inhabitants of French Flanders can speak or understand Dutch or the local dialect.[6]
Approximately 75% of the Flemish people are by baptism assumed Roman Catholic, though a still diminishing minority of less than 8% attends mass on a regular basis. Nearly half of the inhabitants of Flanders are Agnostic or Atheist. Islam, the Jewish religion, the Orthodox religion, Protestantism, and Buddhism are in Belgium recognized religions found mainly among minority ethnic groups. A 2006 inquiry in Flanders, showed 55% chose to call themselves religious, 36% believe that God created the world.[7] (See also Religion in Belgium.)
Main articles: Flemish movement
The confrontational nature of Flemish politics is related to the communal tension between Dutch-speaking Flanders and French-speaking Wallonia. These ultimately resulted in the federalisation of Belgium, and the Flemish movement includes secessionist tendencies and groups.[8] Functions continue to devolve away from the Belgian state to the institutional regions and communities.
Until the 1960s the Belgian state was Francophone. Not only the Walloons were Francophone but also the nobility, since Burgundian times, and the Flemish bourgeoisie since the early 19th century. Use of French was mandatory in all aspects of public life: government, the courts, academia, and industry. Until the 1930s, for example, the Flemish majority was educated only in French; courts were conducted in French (with notorious examples of Flemish peasants tried and judged in a language they did not comprehend). During the First World War there were tensions between Flemish soldiers and French speaking officers. Since the falling-off of its traditional coal mining and steel industries at the beginning of the 60', Wallonia, the French-speaking southern half of Belgium, which was the leading economic force in Belgium and the strongest contributor to its wealth, is become more and more subsidized by the more economically robust Flemish north, an issue that remains unresolved.
Within the Flemish Movement, the demand for outright independence grew stronger in the last decades. There are two political parties strongly advocating secession from Belgium: the Nieuw-Vlaamse Alliantie (New Flemish Alliance) and the Vlaams Belang. This last party is considered by all other Flemish political parties to be far right. Its identification of the Flemings as a separate 'people' () is controversial. It associates that claim with rejection of a Belgian national identity, and describes itself as a Flemish nationalist party, seeking a separate and sovereign state for the Flemish people, which is claimed to be a nation, and to have its own national identity.[9] It seeks the dissolution of Belgium.[10] The viewpoints of the Vlaams Belang, which is the continuation of the after a court conviction for racism dissolved Vlaams Blok, are not shared by Flemish mainstream parties. With the elected smaller and the French Community parties they continued the ''cordon sanitaire'' around the Vlaams Belang, which is an agreement not to form a coalition or to cooperate at any level with that party. The large Flemish mainstream Christian-Democrat party CD&V forms an alliance with the Nieuw-Vlaamse Alliantie.
The Flemish Community is one of the three institutional Communities of Belgium, not identical to the Flemish Region, though both have a single body of parliament, government and administration.
The official flag and coat of arms of the Flemish Community represents a black lion with red claws and tongue on a yellow field (''or a lion rampant sable armed and langued gules'').[11] A flag with a completely black lion had been in wide use before 1991 when the current version was officially adopted by the Flemish Community. That older flag was at times recognized by government sources (alongside the version with red claws and tongue).[12][13] Both flags can still be seen in popular use, though only the modern one is recognised by law. The Flemish authorities also use two logos of a highly stylized black lion which show the claws and tongue in either red or black.[14]
The first documented use[15] of the Flemish lion was on the seal of Philip d'Alsace, count of Flanders of 1162. As of that date the use of the Flemish coat of arms (''or a lion rampant sable'') remained in use throughout the reigns of the d'Alsace, Flanders (2nd) and Dampierre dynasties of counts. After the acquisition of Flanders by the Burgundian dukes the lion was only used in escutcheons. It was only after the creation of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands that the coat of arms (surmounted by a chief bearing the Royal Arms of the Netherlands) once again became the official symbol of the new province East Flanders.
The motto "Vlaenderen die Leu" (Flanders the lion) was according to Eug. Sanders present on the arms of Pieter de Coninck at the Battle of the Golden Spurs on July 11, 1302.[16][17][18] Some three hundred nobles supposedly also used the motto "Vlaenderen den Leeuw" as their battlecry when they fought in the Flemish ranks to avoid being confused for the enemy. In Spiegel Historiael, Louis van Velthem also refers to the lion in a song describing the battle of Blangys-Guinegatte (which took place in August 1472). Later, Hendrik Conscience used the motto in his Lion of Flanders.
The Flemish diaspora consists of Flemish emigrants and their descendants in countries such as the present Netherlands, France, the United States, Britain, Canada, India (Sri Lanka), Indonesia, Australia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Africa and Latin America.
During the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries, when the territory of present-day Flanders formed the setting for an impressive economic and cultural boom as well as certain internal problems, many artists and craftsmen sought refuge elsewhere. Flemish settlers introduced the first printing presses into Spain and Portugal. The Flemish contribution to the exploitation as well as the population of the Azores was so conspicuous, that for a long time the archipelago was referred to as the Flemish islands.
Following in the wake of the explorers, Flemish missionaries such as Pieter van Gent in Mexico, Joos de Rijcke in Ecuador, Ferdinand Verbiest in China, Constant Lievens in India, Pierre-Jean DeSmet in the United States and Jozef de Veuster in Molokai built up a reputation in various overseas countries that continues even to this day.
A combination of a demographic explosion and inadequate economic growth resulted in an emigration from Flanders that continued up to the First World War. It was something that every family faced sooner or later. Not only did it involve the so-called lower classes of the population, but also members of the better classes who found a future overseas in teacher-training colleges and colleges of engineering and agriculture. Louis Cruis, for example, was a Flemish engineer who led expeditions to lay down the boundaries of Brazil and the city limits of the capital Brasilia.
About 400,000 Flemings settled in France. They often had to start afresh in poor villages, from where they breathed new life into agriculture. There are an estimated 1,250,000 people with a Flemish surname in France. The Nord and Pas-de-Calais departments however, were parts of historic Flanders before France annexed the region in 1656 (and other additions until the last permanent boundary change in the 1790s after the French Revolution).
Similar to the Netherlands, many Flemish families also emigrated to South Africa due to the relative closeness of culture and language.
In the United States and Canada today, there are Americans with Flemish roots.
1.
Vlamingen in de Wereld , Canada: 2001 Canadian Census gives 11,655 respondents stating their ''ethnic origin'' as Flemish. Another 129,780 reported 'Belgian'. See List of Canadians by ethnicity (2001).
2.
La dynamique des langues en Belgique, Ginsburgh, Victor, Université Catholique de Louvain; Weber, Shlomo, Professor Economy and Director of the Center for Economic Studies of the Southern Methodist University, Dallas, USA, and having a seat in the expert panel of the IMF [1], , , Regards économiques, Publication préparée par les économistes de l'Université Catholique de Louvain, 2006
3. Afrikaners: mainly the descendants of Dutch colonists in South Africa, speak Afrikaans a mutually intelligable Dutch semi-creol; Dutch: share origin, language and much of their history with the Flemish and live adjacent to the them. Note: One can assume a far relation of the Flemish with Germans of northwestern regions on linguistic and near the common border on historical grounds; with Frisians only based on an indirect relation via the Dutch and a slightly related Germanic language.
4. Footnote: Though the usage of 'Flanders' for the area roughly corresponding to the present-day Flemish Community became more and more common as the twentieth century proceeded, a similar broader usage occasionally occurred already much earlier, for instance, an English-language map dating from c. 1718 of the Low Countries distinguishes the larger printed "Flanders" encompassing at least (the county of) "Flanders proper", Brabant, Limburg (including their parts of present-day France, the Netherlands, and the Walloon Region) and parts of the Prins-Bishopric of Liège:
A new map of the Netherlands or Low Countries
5. Footnote: The Celtic and/or Germanic influences on and origin(s) of the pre-Roman Belgae remains disputed; Julius Caesar had called them 'Gauls' but had also distinguished them from these. Further reading e.g.
Ethnic and Cultural Identity Witt, Constanze Maria
6. Dutch/Flemish in the North of France (Hugo Ryckeboer) University of Ghent, Department of Dutch Linguistics
7. Inquiry by 'Vepec', 'Vereniging voor Promotie en Communicatie' (Organisation for Promotion and Communication), published in Knack magazine 22 November2006 p.14 [The Dutch language term 'gelovig' is in the text translated as 'religious'; more precisely it is a very common word for believing in particular in any kind of God in a monotheistic sense, and/or in some afterlife].
8. For example Vlaams Belang, states that the "Flemish people' have a right to self-determination: ''De Vlaamse onafhankelijkheid is een principekwestie voor het Vlaams Belang. Het Vlaamse volk kan en moet zijn recht op zelfbeschikking uitoefenen.'' Party Programme, [2].
9. Party Programme [3]: ''Het Vlaams Belang is een Vlaams-nationalistische partij. Voor ons is het zelfbeschikkingsrecht der volkeren fundamenteel. De soevereiniteit van een natie moet van het volk zelf uitgaan. Elk volk heeft het recht zijn toekomst in te richten zoals het dat wil, bij voorkeur in een eigen staat. Wij vinden dat de identiteit van ons volk, van élk volk, zo waardevol is dat een nationale identiteit speciale bescherming moet genieten.''
10. Party Programme [4]: ''Vlaanderen moet Europa voorbereiden op een vreedzame opdeling van België. Vlaanderen moet Europa warm maken voor een uitdagend en dynamisch project, voor de komst van een nieuwe, moderne staat in het hart van Europa.''
11. Flemish Authorities - coat of arms ''De officiële voorstelling van het wapen van de Vlaamse Gemeenschap, in zwart - wit en in kleur, werd vastgesteld bij de ministeriële besluiten van 2 januari 1991 (BS 2 maart 1991), en zoals afgebeeld op de bijlagen bij deze besluiten.'' - flag
12. Samples of the black lion without red tongue and claws for the province of East and West Flanders before the regionalization of Belgian provinces:
Verschuerens Modern Woordenboek, 6th revised ed., , , , N. V. Brepols, Turnhout, , This dictionary/encyclopaedia was put on the list of school books allowed to be used in the official secondary institutions of education on March 8 1933 by the Belgian government
13. Armorial des provinces et des communes de Belgique, Max Servais: pages 217-219, explaining the 1816 origin of the Flags of the provinces of East and West Flanders and their post 1830 modifications
14. Flemish authorities show a logo of a highly stylized black lion either with red claws and tongue (sample: 'error' page by ministry of the Flemish Community) or a completely black version.
15. Armorial des provinces et des communes de Belgique, Max Servais
16.
Flanders (Belgium)
17.
War-Cries Velde, François R.
18.
Voorstel van decreet houdende instelling van de Orde van de Vlaamse Leeuw (Vlaamse Raad, stuk 36, buitengewone zitting 1995 – Nr. 1) Olivier, M.
★ Flanders
★ Flemish Region
★ Flemish Community
★ De Vlaamse Leeuw
The terms 'Fleming' and 'Flemings' (''Vlaming'' and ''Vlamingen'' in Dutch) denote respectively a person and people, and 'the Flemings' or 'the Flemish' (always ''de Vlamingen'') or 'the Flemish people' (''het Vlaamse volk'') the population forming a community of more than six million people and the majority of all Belgians, of Flanders, the northern half of the country.
Modern[4] Flanders however, does not correspond closely to the former County of Flanders, which included parts of present-day France and the Netherlands and did not include the central and eastern parts of present-day Flanders, which were part of other Holy Roman fiefs, chiefly the Duchy of Brabant and the County of Loon. Within proper context, the term 'Fleming' may still refer specifically to a native of West Flanders or East Flanders, the two provinces in Belgium that were part of the former county, or rarely to a native of other parts of that county who speaks a Dutch dialect from the Flemish county or the standard Dutch language. This original usage may similarly occur for the plural forms.
| Contents |
| Culture and identity |
| Related ethno-linguistic groups |
| Official language |
| Religion |
| Flemish movement |
| Symbols |
| Origin of the Flemish lion |
| Flanders the Lion |
| The Flemish diaspora |
| References |
| See also |
Culture and identity
The native Flemings descend from Germanic tribes, predominantly Franks, and mixed Celtic-Germanic "Gaulish" tribes who had lived in the same region even before Roman times.[5] In the first instance, Flemish culture is defined by its West Germanic language, Dutch, shared with most people in the Netherlands, as opposed to the Francophone compatriots within Belgium. Contrary to popular belief, a Flemish literature does exist, though Flemish literary schools are also present within the Dutch literature as a whole. Books written by Flemings and by Dutch people are read by Dutch-speakers worldwide. It does not make a difference that most readers are able to distinguish fine differences, mainly in vocabulary. In a wider sense, Flemings read many books written in other languages: not only English (dominating scientific and professional literature), but also French or German, and reasonable quantities of other literary production.
For students, the intellectual norm in Flanders means learning two or even three foreign languages (at least two are obligatory in most secondary school programs, generally French and English, but also German and/or a languages chosen from a supplementary list) to a higher standard than in most countries. Cosmopolitanism is a historical constant in Flanders' very open economy, while the mainly Anglo-Saxon orientation is a rather recent phenomenon as, until the 1960s, Flanders was heavily dominated by French culture (as long imposed by the Belgian state), which now only is an honorable second. Proficiency in English has greatly improved during the last half century, whereas proficiency in French and German has decreased somewhat. Proficiency in other languages widened, and improved, although some companies complain about a seemingly eternal lack of sufficient German-speakers.
Related ethno-linguistic groups
Official language
The official language of Flanders is Dutch (at the Belgian - federal - level at par with French, and to a lesser extent German; the language legislation is complex and politically extremely sensitive). The local dialects are diverse, but each belongs to one of the three crossborder dialect groups also spoken in the Netherlands.
Dialects tended to be very strong, almost particular to every locality. Since World War II, the influence of radio, television, and with more people moving out of their region of birth, the use of the original dialects tends to decrease. Differences between the regional dialects erode and new types of intermediate dialects appear, including a non-standardized mix of standard Dutch with 'cleaned-up' dialect. This is often called'' 'tussentaal' ''('language-in-between') or, derogatorily,'' 'verkavelingsvlaams' ''(speech as where Flemish people from diverse locations and dialects become neighbours in a newly built-up out of town quarter). In Brussels, the local dialect is heavily influenced by French, both in pronunciation, as in vocabulary. Only a small number (''c''. 150,000) of the inhabitants of French Flanders can speak or understand Dutch or the local dialect.[6]
Religion
Approximately 75% of the Flemish people are by baptism assumed Roman Catholic, though a still diminishing minority of less than 8% attends mass on a regular basis. Nearly half of the inhabitants of Flanders are Agnostic or Atheist. Islam, the Jewish religion, the Orthodox religion, Protestantism, and Buddhism are in Belgium recognized religions found mainly among minority ethnic groups. A 2006 inquiry in Flanders, showed 55% chose to call themselves religious, 36% believe that God created the world.[7] (See also Religion in Belgium.)
Flemish movement
Main articles: Flemish movement
The confrontational nature of Flemish politics is related to the communal tension between Dutch-speaking Flanders and French-speaking Wallonia. These ultimately resulted in the federalisation of Belgium, and the Flemish movement includes secessionist tendencies and groups.[8] Functions continue to devolve away from the Belgian state to the institutional regions and communities.
Until the 1960s the Belgian state was Francophone. Not only the Walloons were Francophone but also the nobility, since Burgundian times, and the Flemish bourgeoisie since the early 19th century. Use of French was mandatory in all aspects of public life: government, the courts, academia, and industry. Until the 1930s, for example, the Flemish majority was educated only in French; courts were conducted in French (with notorious examples of Flemish peasants tried and judged in a language they did not comprehend). During the First World War there were tensions between Flemish soldiers and French speaking officers. Since the falling-off of its traditional coal mining and steel industries at the beginning of the 60', Wallonia, the French-speaking southern half of Belgium, which was the leading economic force in Belgium and the strongest contributor to its wealth, is become more and more subsidized by the more economically robust Flemish north, an issue that remains unresolved.
Within the Flemish Movement, the demand for outright independence grew stronger in the last decades. There are two political parties strongly advocating secession from Belgium: the Nieuw-Vlaamse Alliantie (New Flemish Alliance) and the Vlaams Belang. This last party is considered by all other Flemish political parties to be far right. Its identification of the Flemings as a separate 'people' () is controversial. It associates that claim with rejection of a Belgian national identity, and describes itself as a Flemish nationalist party, seeking a separate and sovereign state for the Flemish people, which is claimed to be a nation, and to have its own national identity.[9] It seeks the dissolution of Belgium.[10] The viewpoints of the Vlaams Belang, which is the continuation of the after a court conviction for racism dissolved Vlaams Blok, are not shared by Flemish mainstream parties. With the elected smaller and the French Community parties they continued the ''cordon sanitaire'' around the Vlaams Belang, which is an agreement not to form a coalition or to cooperate at any level with that party. The large Flemish mainstream Christian-Democrat party CD&V forms an alliance with the Nieuw-Vlaamse Alliantie.
The Flemish Community is one of the three institutional Communities of Belgium, not identical to the Flemish Region, though both have a single body of parliament, government and administration.
Symbols
The official flag and coat of arms of the Flemish Community represents a black lion with red claws and tongue on a yellow field (''or a lion rampant sable armed and langued gules'').[11] A flag with a completely black lion had been in wide use before 1991 when the current version was officially adopted by the Flemish Community. That older flag was at times recognized by government sources (alongside the version with red claws and tongue).[12][13] Both flags can still be seen in popular use, though only the modern one is recognised by law. The Flemish authorities also use two logos of a highly stylized black lion which show the claws and tongue in either red or black.[14]
Origin of the Flemish lion
Coat of arms of the counts of Flanders
The first documented use[15] of the Flemish lion was on the seal of Philip d'Alsace, count of Flanders of 1162. As of that date the use of the Flemish coat of arms (''or a lion rampant sable'') remained in use throughout the reigns of the d'Alsace, Flanders (2nd) and Dampierre dynasties of counts. After the acquisition of Flanders by the Burgundian dukes the lion was only used in escutcheons. It was only after the creation of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands that the coat of arms (surmounted by a chief bearing the Royal Arms of the Netherlands) once again became the official symbol of the new province East Flanders.
Flanders the Lion
The motto "Vlaenderen die Leu" (Flanders the lion) was according to Eug. Sanders present on the arms of Pieter de Coninck at the Battle of the Golden Spurs on July 11, 1302.[16][17][18] Some three hundred nobles supposedly also used the motto "Vlaenderen den Leeuw" as their battlecry when they fought in the Flemish ranks to avoid being confused for the enemy. In Spiegel Historiael, Louis van Velthem also refers to the lion in a song describing the battle of Blangys-Guinegatte (which took place in August 1472). Later, Hendrik Conscience used the motto in his Lion of Flanders.
The Flemish diaspora
The Flemish diaspora consists of Flemish emigrants and their descendants in countries such as the present Netherlands, France, the United States, Britain, Canada, India (Sri Lanka), Indonesia, Australia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Africa and Latin America.
During the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries, when the territory of present-day Flanders formed the setting for an impressive economic and cultural boom as well as certain internal problems, many artists and craftsmen sought refuge elsewhere. Flemish settlers introduced the first printing presses into Spain and Portugal. The Flemish contribution to the exploitation as well as the population of the Azores was so conspicuous, that for a long time the archipelago was referred to as the Flemish islands.
Following in the wake of the explorers, Flemish missionaries such as Pieter van Gent in Mexico, Joos de Rijcke in Ecuador, Ferdinand Verbiest in China, Constant Lievens in India, Pierre-Jean DeSmet in the United States and Jozef de Veuster in Molokai built up a reputation in various overseas countries that continues even to this day.
A combination of a demographic explosion and inadequate economic growth resulted in an emigration from Flanders that continued up to the First World War. It was something that every family faced sooner or later. Not only did it involve the so-called lower classes of the population, but also members of the better classes who found a future overseas in teacher-training colleges and colleges of engineering and agriculture. Louis Cruis, for example, was a Flemish engineer who led expeditions to lay down the boundaries of Brazil and the city limits of the capital Brasilia.
About 400,000 Flemings settled in France. They often had to start afresh in poor villages, from where they breathed new life into agriculture. There are an estimated 1,250,000 people with a Flemish surname in France. The Nord and Pas-de-Calais departments however, were parts of historic Flanders before France annexed the region in 1656 (and other additions until the last permanent boundary change in the 1790s after the French Revolution).
Similar to the Netherlands, many Flemish families also emigrated to South Africa due to the relative closeness of culture and language.
In the United States and Canada today, there are Americans with Flemish roots.
References
1.
Vlamingen in de Wereld , Canada: 2001 Canadian Census gives 11,655 respondents stating their ''ethnic origin'' as Flemish. Another 129,780 reported 'Belgian'. See List of Canadians by ethnicity (2001).
2.
La dynamique des langues en Belgique, Ginsburgh, Victor, Université Catholique de Louvain; Weber, Shlomo, Professor Economy and Director of the Center for Economic Studies of the Southern Methodist University, Dallas, USA, and having a seat in the expert panel of the IMF [1], , , Regards économiques, Publication préparée par les économistes de l'Université Catholique de Louvain, 2006
3. Afrikaners: mainly the descendants of Dutch colonists in South Africa, speak Afrikaans a mutually intelligable Dutch semi-creol; Dutch: share origin, language and much of their history with the Flemish and live adjacent to the them. Note: One can assume a far relation of the Flemish with Germans of northwestern regions on linguistic and near the common border on historical grounds; with Frisians only based on an indirect relation via the Dutch and a slightly related Germanic language.
4. Footnote: Though the usage of 'Flanders' for the area roughly corresponding to the present-day Flemish Community became more and more common as the twentieth century proceeded, a similar broader usage occasionally occurred already much earlier, for instance, an English-language map dating from c. 1718 of the Low Countries distinguishes the larger printed "Flanders" encompassing at least (the county of) "Flanders proper", Brabant, Limburg (including their parts of present-day France, the Netherlands, and the Walloon Region) and parts of the Prins-Bishopric of Liège:
A new map of the Netherlands or Low Countries
5. Footnote: The Celtic and/or Germanic influences on and origin(s) of the pre-Roman Belgae remains disputed; Julius Caesar had called them 'Gauls' but had also distinguished them from these. Further reading e.g.
Ethnic and Cultural Identity Witt, Constanze Maria
6. Dutch/Flemish in the North of France (Hugo Ryckeboer) University of Ghent, Department of Dutch Linguistics
7. Inquiry by 'Vepec', 'Vereniging voor Promotie en Communicatie' (Organisation for Promotion and Communication), published in Knack magazine 22 November2006 p.14 [The Dutch language term 'gelovig' is in the text translated as 'religious'; more precisely it is a very common word for believing in particular in any kind of God in a monotheistic sense, and/or in some afterlife].
8. For example Vlaams Belang, states that the "Flemish people' have a right to self-determination: ''De Vlaamse onafhankelijkheid is een principekwestie voor het Vlaams Belang. Het Vlaamse volk kan en moet zijn recht op zelfbeschikking uitoefenen.'' Party Programme, [2].
9. Party Programme [3]: ''Het Vlaams Belang is een Vlaams-nationalistische partij. Voor ons is het zelfbeschikkingsrecht der volkeren fundamenteel. De soevereiniteit van een natie moet van het volk zelf uitgaan. Elk volk heeft het recht zijn toekomst in te richten zoals het dat wil, bij voorkeur in een eigen staat. Wij vinden dat de identiteit van ons volk, van élk volk, zo waardevol is dat een nationale identiteit speciale bescherming moet genieten.''
10. Party Programme [4]: ''Vlaanderen moet Europa voorbereiden op een vreedzame opdeling van België. Vlaanderen moet Europa warm maken voor een uitdagend en dynamisch project, voor de komst van een nieuwe, moderne staat in het hart van Europa.''
11. Flemish Authorities - coat of arms ''De officiële voorstelling van het wapen van de Vlaamse Gemeenschap, in zwart - wit en in kleur, werd vastgesteld bij de ministeriële besluiten van 2 januari 1991 (BS 2 maart 1991), en zoals afgebeeld op de bijlagen bij deze besluiten.'' - flag
12. Samples of the black lion without red tongue and claws for the province of East and West Flanders before the regionalization of Belgian provinces:
Verschuerens Modern Woordenboek, 6th revised ed., , , , N. V. Brepols, Turnhout, , This dictionary/encyclopaedia was put on the list of school books allowed to be used in the official secondary institutions of education on March 8 1933 by the Belgian government
13. Armorial des provinces et des communes de Belgique, Max Servais: pages 217-219, explaining the 1816 origin of the Flags of the provinces of East and West Flanders and their post 1830 modifications
14. Flemish authorities show a logo of a highly stylized black lion either with red claws and tongue (sample: 'error' page by ministry of the Flemish Community) or a completely black version.
15. Armorial des provinces et des communes de Belgique, Max Servais
16.
Flanders (Belgium)
17.
War-Cries Velde, François R.
18.
Voorstel van decreet houdende instelling van de Orde van de Vlaamse Leeuw (Vlaamse Raad, stuk 36, buitengewone zitting 1995 – Nr. 1) Olivier, M.
See also
★ Flanders
★ Flemish Region
★ Flemish Community
★ De Vlaamse Leeuw
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