'For help and comfort and to resist the enemy of God’: Greek refugees in the Burgundian Low Countries

Abstract

It is well known that after the fall of Constantinople, Greek refugees fled to Western Europe. This migration is usually associated with Italy, where it stimulated the further development of the Renaissance. It is sometimes overlooked that the Burgundian Low Countries also exerted a great attraction for the Greeks. The location of the region, its prosperity and the crusading ambitions of the Burgundian dukes may explain this. Unlike other parts of Europe, most refugees did not settle permanently. Despite an interest among a small circle of humanists in their language and culture, the wider population had mixed feelings about the Greeks. Initially they were well received, but after a while their credibility was questioned. Anti-Greek prejudices persisted, which resulted in imprisonment or even execution of some refugees. Using previously unexploited sources, this article provides new insights into the history of the refugees, their motivation and their reception.