Flanders Flandria Zeelandia c.1640 Belgium & Holland engraved hand colour map Flandria et Zelandia Comitatus [Flanders and Zeelandia County] Issued c.1640, by Matthäus Merian der Ältere (or "Matthew", "the Elder", or "Sr."; 1593-1650) | Approx. Size: The sheet measures 13"H x 14 3/4"W; Engraved area measures 10"H x 13 1/4"H | A Fine mid-17th Century engraved map with lovely hand colour. Decorative quality map with two beautiful coats of arms representing the region of Flanders, under Spanish dominion at the time. The map shows the region in great detail with numerous rivers, topographical names, mountains and cities. Beautiful cartouche at the bottom left and a nice little compass at the top. The county of Flanders was inherited by Charles V of Spain from the burgundian line of his father, Philip the Handsome, in 1516. Charles would then become Emperor, ruling most of Europe including Spain, the Duchy of Milan, the kingdom of Naples and Sicily, the Holy Roman Empire, Burgundy, the Franche Comte, Flanders and Holland. Upon his death the County of Flanders, along with the rest of the Netherlands, was inherited by his son Philip II. By the time this map was issued, around 1640, the Netherlands had become independent and although Flanders remained a part of the Spanish Empire, it suffered several wars and invasions - namely by France - until it was ceded to the Austrian Habsburgs as part of the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713. Beautiful example in very good condition.