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Brugge, Antwerpen and Amsterdam were the trading, financial and cultural 'capitals' of northern Europe during three consecutive 'golden ages'. These three 'capitals' were gateways for merchants and migrants from across Europe. Each of them had flourishing 'peripheral' centers of power and culture (Gent, Brussel, Leiden, Haarlem...). During the shifts between these consecutive 'golden ages', various political, religious and economic factors caused significant migration flows.
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