Jacob van Liesvelt
[2] His printing press put out publications in a wide range of genres, including poetry by Anna Bijns, Roman Catholic literature such as an anti-heresy decree, and publications that conflicted with Catholic teachings.
[8] Liesvelt collaborated on many of his publications with other printers such as Claes de Grave, Symon Cock, Hendrick Peetersen van Middelburch, and Marc Martens.
As he relied for this publication on the German translation of the New Testament made by Martin Luther he got into trouble with the authorities for engaging in 'heretical behavior'.
In 1528, Liesvelt was the editor and printer of the Flemish poet Anna Bijns' first published work, Dit is een schoon ende suverlick boecxken inhoudende veel scoone constige refereinen.
This was an important publication in Dutch-language literature, and established Anna Bijns' reputation as a leading poet of her generation.
[10] When in 1545 the persecution of heretics reached its peak, the bailiff of Antwerp charged van Liesvelt and had him arrested.
They argued that all his publications, with the exception of the Bible edition from 1526, had been issued with an official license: "Cum Gratia et Privilegio", which had given the printer the publishing permission.
One year after his execution, she petitioned the authorities for permission to continue the printing business of her deceased husband.
[10] Jacob van Liesvelt printed and published works in a diverse range of genres.
[2] The works published by the Jacob van Liesvelt press included both Catholic and Protestant literature.
Among his other notable works are La desfianche faicte au tres puisant et noble Empereur Charles de par le roy de Franche et roy D'Engleterre et aussy la response du tres noble Empereur sur la ditte desfianche (The defiance to the very powerful and noble Emperor Charles laid down by the King of France and the King of England and also the response of the very noble Emperor to the said defiance) and a Dutch-language version of the same.
He was the first publisher of Anna Bijns and helped launch her as the leading Flemish poet with the publication in 1528 of Dit is een schoon ende suverlick boecxken inhoudende veel scoone constige refereinen.
[12] The title page of the 1526 edition shows various biblical characters such as Moses, Joshua and David and the evangelists Mark and John.
Van Liesvelt probably had the Cologne edition of the first Bible in Low German of 1478–79 in mind in the execution and design.
[12] This Bible was printed in 1560 in Groessen in the Northern Netherlands, likely by the Flemish exiled Nicolaes (Claes) Bieskens van Diest.
