PETER DU BOIS


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Peter Du Bois

Can you be cruel and proud? For a great man among the commonalty, and in particular among such as we shall have to do with, will not be thought anything worth if he be not feared and dreaded, and at times renowned for his cruelty. It is thus that the Flemings wish to be governed; and among them men's lives should be no more valued, nor should they have more pity shown to them, than swallows or larks, which are caught in the proper season for the table.
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The Flemmish city of Ghent needed a Governor. Du Bois approached Philip Van Artevelde whose father had been a successful governor to see if he would be interested in assuming the office. Many cities, while not democracies, did elect their ruler as for a time was done on Ancient Rome. This quotation is interesting in that Du Bois, a kingmaker politician, shows us what qualifications were perceived necessary for a Governor of a major city.

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