Editing Low Countries (section)

===Duchy of Burgundy===
{{see also|Burgundian Netherlands}}
In the 14th and 15th century, separate fiefs came gradually to be ruled by a single family through [[royal intermarriage]]. This process culminated in the rule of the [[House of Valois]], who were the rulers of the [[Duchy of Burgundy]]. At the height of Burgundian influence, the Low Countries became the political, cultural, and economic centre of [[Northern Europe]], noted for its crafts and luxury goods, notably [[early Netherlandish painting]], which is the work of artists who were active in the flourishing cities of [[Bruges]], [[Ghent]], [[Mechelen]], [[Leuven]], [[Tournai]] and [[Brussels]], all in present-day Belgium. Musicians of the [[Franco-Flemish School]] were highly sought by the leading classes of all Europe. [[Image:Van Eyck - Arnolfini Portrait.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Jan van Eyck]], The ''[[Arnolfini Portrait]]'', 1434, [[National Gallery]], London]]