The provincial capital of 's- Hertogenbosch (Den Bosch for short; in French Bois-le-Duc) lies at the confluence of the Dommel and the Aa and on the Zuid Willemsvaart in an area of flat pastures, much of which is flooded every winter. It is a busy commercial town (important livestock markets), with a varied range of industry (cigar manufacture,
foodstuffs, hardware, etc.).
's-Hertogenbosch takes its name from Duke (Hertog) Henry I of Brabant, who gave the town its municipal charter in 1185 in order to secure the northern borders of his duchy against Gelderland and Holland. Excellently situated from the point of view of transport, the fortified town soon developed into a busy trading center. The situation changed, however, when the town was taken by the Spaniards in 1520. In 1559 's-Hertogenbosch became the see of a bishop. In 1629 the town was recovered by Frederick Henry, and thus became cut off from Brabant. In 1794 it was occupied by the French, but was liberated by the Prussians in 1814. The town's fortifications were razed to the ground in 1856. 's-Hertogenbosch was the birthplace of the celebrated painter Hieronymus (Jeroen) Bosch (1450-1516) and of Theodor van Thulden (1606-69), a friend and pupil of Rubens.
The town has retained most of its historic heritage and works to maintain the buildings, fortifications, churches and statues. The 'de Moriaan', built in the 13th century, is the oldest remaining brick building in the Netherlands. St John's Cathedral is another notable landmark in 's-Hertogenbosch, it dates back to 1220 and features Gothic design.
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