Goudbloem

The Goudbloem (marigold) was a chamber of rhetoric, a society to promote poetry and drama, that dated back to the 15th century in Antwerp.

The Goudbloem had particular links to the urban aristocracy (patricians) and officeholders, while the Violieren was associated with artists and intellectuals (and had ties to the Guild of St Luke) and the Olyftack primarily consisted of merchants and tradesmen.

[1] The earliest mention of the society is of a performance in 1490, after which the city magistrates granted the chamber an annual subsidy of £3 Brabant (the same amount received by the Violieren).

[2] At the joyous reception in Antwerp of the new governor general, Cardinal-Infante Ferdinand of Austria, in 1635, the Goudbloem put on a tableau vivant intended to demonstrate "that the hope of all the Low Countries rests upon the Prince Cardinal".

[3] The leading officers of the chamber were the hooftman, a sort of honorary president, the prince, and the dean (deken).