's-Hertogenbosch

Capital of North Brabant province, the Netherlands, at the confluence of the Aa and Dommel rivers, 45 km/28 mi southeast of Utrecht; population (1997) 126,500. There is an important cattle market here. The Gothic cathedral, St John's, dates back to the 11th century, although it was rebuilt or extended in the 14th century. It was the birthplace of the painter Hieronymus Bosch.

's-Hertogenbosch's origins were as a hunting-lodge for the dukes of Brabant. In 1184 it was raised to the status of a town and fortified with walls. In the mid-15th century it was considerably enlarged. Numerous abortive attempts were made by the Netherlands to get possession of the town in the 16th and 17th centuries, but in 1629 it finally was taken after a five-month siege. It fell to France in 1794 and to the Prussians in 1814.