inundations and floods were part of the everyday experiences of early modern coastal societies. While much scholarly research has focused on the immediate reactions to the seemingly extraordinary inundations, this article argues, that an investigation of the long-term perspective of flood accounts, beyond the much studied discourses of ministers, magistrates and engineers might reveal a different, but perhaps more typical response to these disasters. the discourse of resilience and stoical attention to business as usual adds an additional dimension to modern society's scripts of disaster management. KEYWORDS resilience, floods, regional chorographies Introduction: a long-term perspective of water and floods In Vlissingen a part of a tower was flooded and the city wall broke in the middle, so that the water could inundate the land, but shortly afterwards it was diked again. The Westcapelle dike broke at several places, but it was shortly afterwards repaired. Around Veere in the North of Walcheren, the dike broke in two places, but thanks to the diligence of the Sir Adolf of Burgundy, Lord of Beveren the land was reclaimed within three or four days. […] Wolffaertsdijk was inundated at several places, and the dikes were broken in many places, but it was worst in Sluys, nevertheless, the land was diked again during the same winter. 1

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The article looks at urban stability and crime control in cities with large immigrant communities in sixteenth-century England. It outlines the strategies of shared authority between urban magistrates and leaders of refugee communities to tackle conflict and crime. It argues that the Strangers were able to present themselves as useful and welcome members of their host community, which profited from their arrival. At the same time they managed to keep their specific alien networks within their new places of residence over several generations intact.

German war brides are an essential part in the cultural memory of post-war West Germany. This study sheds some light on the representation of war brides in German newspapers and magazines published in the American and British zones between 1945/46 and 1949. It argues that German-American marriages were utilised to demonstrate and to enhance the good relations between the former enemies and contributed to the popularisation of the 'American Dream'. The war bride theme also promoted the image of the new German woman: She was stylish, modern and devoted to her husband. The presentation of German-American couples ignored issues such as race, prostitution, or divorce, but painted a romantic picture of married life in the 'Land of the Free'.

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