Chamber of rhetoric

Rhetoricians is a Dutch term for members of the Guild of Poets ( Dutch Rederijkerskamer: Speech chamber ) that there has been, especially in Flanders and Holland.

The word comes from the Greek Rederijker rhetorikos ( = one who operates the rhetoric ).

History

The first of these guilds arose after the French model, in 1400 in the Burgundian dominated Flanders. Later it spread to Holland. First, its members were educated citizens especially. However, since the chamber were greatly appreciated and privileged by the culture- loving duke of Burgundy, and got so political influence, soon was joined by nobles.

The 15th century was their heyday. After 1600, they fell. Calvinism fought these worldly clubs, and the privileges were no longer effective. Some still existing poet clubs in Belgium still see themselves as continuing the Rederijkerskamers.

The main chambers were located in the cities of Bruges, Ghent, Brussels, Antwerp, Leiden, Haarlem and Amsterdam.

Structure

The Rederijkerskamer was under the secular patronage of a prince or prince ( prince ), who was the client of many poems. Like any profession, they also had a spiritual patron saint. The chamber was under the direction of Captain (Dutch: hoofdman ), which some deans ( dekens ) were on hand. The Treasurer was fiscaal. The most important poet or director called factor.

Art

The Rederijker produced primarily occasional poetry in honor or in memory of princes, mayors, etc. There were also comedies that Kluchten, dramas and ballads for festivals and other public occasions.

The seal was often preachy. Technical skills, even virtuosity were asked. Strict adherence to guidelines for rhyme, meter, and rhythm often degenerated into contrived rhymes and bombastic language. Therefore, the rederijkerskunst of art historians is often classified as second-rate. But the chambers were also a contribution to the "democratization" of Dutch literature and a breeding ground of the seal. Large Dutch poets such as Pieter C. Hooft and Joost van den Vondel was a member of Rederijkerskamer.

The Dutch national anthem, the Wilhelmus, has some characteristics of a poem in the form of rhetoricians.

• Writers' Union
• Culture ( Netherlands)
• Dutch History
• Culture ( Flanders)
• Belgian history