Stop here for a moment at the T-junction.

Diagonally to the right yet still in front of you is a beautiful building. It is the Zwanenbroedershuis, which can be translated into ‘the Swan Brothers House’.

This beautiful neo-Gothic building is used by the ‘Illustre Lieve Vrouwe Broederschap’, founded in 1318. In English you could say: the Brotherhood in the veneration of Mary. The brotherhood initially met in a chapel in St. John’s Church to honour Mary and moved to this place here in Hinthamerstraat in 1484. The building, rebuilt in 1847, has been on the national monument list since 1965.  It now houses a museum, in which one can admire the well-preserved treasures of the brotherhood, such as choir books, beautiful Delft blue porcelain and altarpieces that are still in very good condition.

Four male figures adorn the facade, namely;  William of Orange who was the first Orange to become a Swan Brother.  Gijsbertus van der Poorten, who donated the house to the brotherhood.  The other two are founder Gerardus van Uden and Count Floris van Egmont.

The brotherhood was very active in relief for the poor, especially in the 14th century. In the period that followed, Den Bosch became an important centre of medieval music thanks to the brotherhood.

The brotherhood still meets once a year and consists of 36 members. It involves not only Roman Catholic members but also some monarchs and prominent persons.  The names of these persons are not made public until after their death.

Let’s keep moving. Safely cross Hinthamerstraat, then turn right and continue along it.