The Low Countries (Dutch: Lage Landen) are the historical lands around the low-lying delta of the Rhine, Scheldt, and Meuse rivers, including the modern countries of Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and parts of northern France and western Germany. The term is more appropriate to the era of the Late Middle Ages and Early Modern Europe when strong centrally governed nations were slowly forming and territorial governance was in the hands of a noble or of a noble house.

Historically, after the Roman denomination of it as Gallia Belgica, the region politically had its origins in Middle Francia, more precisely its northern part which became the Duchy of Lower Lotharingia. After the disintegration of Lower Lotharingia, the Low Countries were brought under the rule of various stronger neighbors. Their possessions can be renamed into the Burgundian Netherlands and the succeeding Habsburg Netherlands, also called the United Seventeen Provinces (up to 1581), and later for the Southern parts as the Spanish Netherlands and Austrian Netherlands, whereas the northern parts formed the autonomous Dutch Republic. At times they reached a form of unity as the United Seventeen Provinces in the 16th Century, and later the United Kingdom of the Netherlands in the 19th Century. The French, Italian and Spanish names for the Netherlands, les Pays-Bas, i Paesi Bassi and los Países Bajos (literally translated "the Low Countries"), are based on this historical context.

Hendrickus (Henk) Cornelius van Lijnschooten (28 March 1928 The Hague - 1 November 2006, Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht) was a Dutch composer who also wrote under the names Ted Huggens and Michel van Delft.

Henk van Lijnschooten went to his local music school for violin and clarinet lessons. His initial studies were with Koeberg Fritz (1876-1961) in music theory, composition and conducting technique. He completed his training as the Concert Band Conductor of The Hague Royal Conservatory. In 1957 he was appointed as the successor to the conductor of the Marine Band of the Royal Dutch Navy. With this orchestra he traveled throughout Europe and the USA. From 1965 to 1970 he was professor of woodwinds at the Conservatory of Rotterdam. After that, he taught at the Conservatory Concert Directorate in Arnhem and the Rotterdam Conservatory. In 1985 he was decorated as Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau.

David or Dave Myers (born 1957, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria) and Simon "Si" King (born 1967, Kibblesworth, County Durham), collectively known as the Hairy Bikers, are British television presenters who have fronted the series The Hairy Bikers' Cookbook, The Hairy Bikers Ride Again, The Hairy Bakers, The Hairy Bikers' Food Tour of Britain and The Hairy Bikers Mums Know Best, Hairy Bikers Meals On Wheels, Hairy Biker's Best of British and The Hairy Biker's Bakeation for BBC Two and The Hairy Biker's Mississippi Adventure for Good Food.

Both Myers and King have a background in TV and film production. Myers is a professional make-up artist, specialising in prosthetics, while King has served as locations manager on numerous productions including the Harry Potter movies and Byker Grove. Both have a tattoo of Che Guevara on their right arm. Simon King is also an avid supporter of Newcastle United.

The duo appeared on the BBC's The Hairy Bikers' Cookbook. The duo's TV shows are a mixture of cookery and travelogue, using a similar format and style to that previously associated with Keith Floyd, including the habit of frequently referring to the cameraman and other crew. Most shows feature the pair riding motorcycles, including the BMW R1200GS, F650GS and Triumph Rocket III. The show also features elements of the Two Fat Ladies format, including regular banter between the two stars, use of various unusual cooking locations and the use of motorbikes.