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Is anybody good at knowing this? I'm confused about something. From what I understand, before they allied with England (although I think that went back and forthe before and after the Anglo-Dutch War), they were allies with France and enemies of Spain. Am I correct so far? Here's where I'm kind of confused. The Dutch Republic was 7 provinces I think...not sure of this included Orange. There were differences and disagreements between the republican Dutch and the Oranges. Why was that? I don't think it was religious differences, but maybe it was. And does the fact that William of Orange (William III) later becoming king of England have anything to do with these disagreements? With the Navigation Act of 1651, England really screwed them up economically. Why would a Dutchman want to become king? What should I learn and read about if I want to know the answers to this? I have a book on my Amazon wishlist about the rise and fall of the Dutch Republic. The Dutch Republic: Its Rise, Greatness, and Fall 1477-1806 by Jonathan Israel. Maybe that'll answer it. Has anyone ever read this or anything by this author?
I have written a novel, House of Rocamora, due out later this year set mostly in Amsterdam 1643-1688. I have The Dutch Republic, Its Rise and Fall, by Jonathan Israel, and it is a comprehensive but dry tome. Essentially, each province had its own Estates, plus a national Estate in the Hague, and Amsterdam had its own government. There was tension between the House of Orange and the Oligarchic Republicans, mostly over pay for the soldiers after the 30 Years War ended. Also, there was tension between the Calvinist branch of the Reform Church and the more liberal Collegiants, Remonstranters, anti-remonstranters, etc. When William II died young of smallpox shortly after son was born, DeWitt, the Grand Pensioner ran the provinces as a republic until there was failure in war and finances. Before William III came of age, the practical Dutch opted for stability and supported the House of Orange. Alliances are confusing. After the 80 year war with Spain ended, the Dutch feared France more than any other country although rivals with England overseas and for trade.A more interesting better written book that covers the same period is The Embarrassment of Riches by Simon Schama.
A more interesting better written book that covers the same period is The Embarrassment of Riches by Simon Schama.
Is that the same Simon Schama or the "Power of Art" fame?
I don't mnd dry as long as it's accurate. Would rather read a properly researched and cited book than one where I'm wondering where the author's information came from. Both books mentioned here are cited often. I think I'll start by getting a better background in the Thirty Years War and then get more in depth with the Eighty Years War, the Dutch Revolution. Just read here how the Declaration of Independence is similar to and maybe influenced by the Dutch Plakkaat van Verlatinge or Act of Abjuration. I also find the Anglo-Dutch wars particularly interesting seeing that they were primarily naval battles. Actually I find all this interesting which explains my interest in sea empires. One big question I have is how and why did William of Orange invade England and become king with virtually no opposition. I suspect the alliance between the Dutch and England was very strong at that time and remained strong until the Dutch supported American independence.
Is that the same Simon Schama or the "Power of Art" fame?
Yes, and Schama wrote Rembrandt's Eyes also worth reading. Wiliam II of Orange wed Princess Royal Mary Stuart daughter of the "Martyr King" Charles I; thus, their son William III, raised Protestant, appealed to the English Protestants who feared James II would restore Catholicism and rule as an absolute monarch now that he had a son by his second Catholic wife. Also, William III was married to James II's Protestant daughter Mary. Hope that helps expain. The other Protestant daughter and sister of Mary later Queen Anne would die childless and lead to the Hanoverian succession of Georges I-IV, Victoria etc.
I knew Mary was English and that there were religious issues with Charles and James II. I just find it sort of odd that, after being at war with the Dutch for the past few decades, a Dutchman became king.
Well, William III was half-English — oops not English at all, partially Scot, Danish, French, and Spanish Habsburg on mother's side; Dutch and Hugeunot French on Father's side. Which brings up the fun question, who was the last English King of England? Richard III? Harald? Richard was followed by Welsh Tudors, Scot Stuarts, German Hanovers, Saxe-Coberg-Gotha aka Windsors who wed Danish and German ladies, and George VI married a Scot (at least I think she was). Elizabeth married a Battenberg aka Mountbatten, and I am not sure if Diana may have been more English or Scot. But then, the last Tzar of Russia was only 1/64 Russian.Now about a President who may have been born in Kenya ..... ;D
OK, let's make things simpler and change English to British. 🙂 I know that isn't technically accurate, but to me that includes Wales, Scotland, and even Ireland, at least Northern, at the time. Still think it's oddly interesting that a Dutch guy would be king without the use of force during the Anglo-Dutch wars. That's what makes me think there's something up with the House of Orange that is vastly different than the Dutch Republic…yet they eventually came together. 😮 Time to stop pulling my hair out and just wait until I read one of these books!
I don't know if this clarifies things (or makes them more confusing), but in a book I'm reading about the English Civil Wars, I just read that the Dutch, primarily the merchants of Holland/Oranje, supplied the royalists with weapons and ammo..and lots of it. This was perhaps the cause, or one cause, of the first Anglo-Dutch war.
Just got the Israel book in the mail. It's a little over 2 inches thick and not light! My arms will be a bit bigger by the time I'm done. Maybe I should read it at the beach. 😀
