Hendrik Conscience:
man of letters from Antwerp (1812-1883). Conscience was the most popular Flemish author of the nineteenth century. In 1838 he published his renowned The Lion of Flanders. At his instigation and following his example, Flemish literature became in the 1840s the Flemish Movement´s principal means of exerting influence. The historical figures and events he recreated in historical novels such as Jacob van Artevelde (1849) and #The Peasants´ War [“De Boerenkrijg”] (1853) were transformed into Flamnigant symbols and myths. Conscience played a prominent role in the Grievances Commission (1856). In later life, Conscience occupied several leading posts in the civil service.

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