As far as music is concerned, the contribution of Flanders to the development of European cultural life is evident: in spite of the short lived flourish of Flemish music (a mere two centuries: XVth and XVIth) Flanders took absolute pre-eminence in European musical life in a very short period of time. Wherever one wandered through Europe and its main courts, cities and cathedrals: everywhere Flanders and its music was predominant.

Flemish musicians playing music written by Flemish composers, being taught by Flemish teachers on all levels and quite often uniting those three capacities in one and the same person. The Flemish music became very famous and richly illuminated manuscripts with Flemish music turned into a very sought after gift between princes and diplomats.