Der Naturen Bloeme

work by Maerlant

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July 1, 2026

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Der Naturen Bloeme (The Flower of Nature) is a scientific compilation written by Jacob van Maerlant between 1266 and 1269. It is based on Thomas of Cantimpré's De natura rerum and draws from Latin sources. This work is an example of the didactic poetry that became popular in the Netherlands during the 14th century. Maerlant's aim was to provide instructive reading material in the vernacular for a growing literate class. The work covers various aspects of nature, reflecting a shift towards encyclopedic knowledge and self-instructional literature in Dutch writing.12

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Dutch literature
Poetry and prose
…compendia of knowledge, including his Der naturen bloeme (“The Flower of Nature”) and Spieghel historiael (“The Mirror of History”), answered a demand for the kind of self-instructional literature that long remained a characteristic of Dutch literature. The change in social patterns at this time is also evident in two epic…
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…compendia of knowledge, including his Der naturen bloeme (“The Flower of Nature”) and Spieghel historiael (“The Mirror of History”), answered a demand for the kind of self-instructional literature that long remained a characteristic of Dutch literature. The change in social patterns at this time is also evident in two epic…
Read More