Page "Dutch literature" Paragraph 20

At the close of the early period, Anna Bijns ( c. 1494 – 1575 ) stands as a transitional figure.

Bijns was an Antwerp schoolmistress and lay nun whose main targets were the faith and character of Luther.

In her first volume of poetry ( 1528 ) the Lutherans are scarcely mentioned and focus lies on her personal experience of faith, but in that of 1538 every page is occupied with invectives against them.

With the writings of Bijns, the period of Middle Dutch closes and the modern Dutch begins ( see also History of the Dutch language ).