#DutchHistory

[husheduphistory]

The Wrath of Rampjaar: The Death and Destruction of Johan De Witt

The 1600s was a difficult chapter for human life. All over the world wars tore at the seams of land and families, and those that did not fall in battle found themselves vulnerable to falling from disease and plague brought on by forces that could not yet be understood. Many things that could not be explained resulted in further violence, fanaticism, death, and destruction dealt from one hand only to be horrifically felt by the other. Breakthroughs in science, exploration, and the arts collided with religious extremism and prejudice as humanity as a whole spun on, seemingly with chaos in every corner.

The Netherlands were one part of the world with turmoils erupting within their borders. In 1672 the country formerly known as the Dutch Republic was seeing the end of the “Dutch Golden Age” with simultaneous wars with England, France, and two German cities. The year 1672 would enter the history books as the Rampjaar, The Disaster Year. The Dutch people coined a phrase to describe this most unfortunate time: “The people were irrational, the government helpless, and the country beyond salvation.”

Allegory of the Disaster Year by Jan van Wijckersloot (1673). Image via Wikipedia.

Although it was obvious there were multiple problems facing the Dutch Republic in the 1672, some believed the problems took root decades earlier. William II Prince of Orange died of smallpox in 1650 leaving the Dutch with no official leader (referred to as a Stadholder.) It was this same year that Johan De Witt began to make his mark in the politics of the region. Johan’s family were bitter rivals of the Oranges and as De Witt began to move up the political ladder he allegedly (with the help of his powerful father who spent time in prison for his involvement in a coup d'etat of William II) quietly made moves and had words written into political documents to keep the young William III or any member of the Orange family from ruling. This allowed wheels to be set in motion to form a fully Republican regime with De Witt at the helm. After holding a number of high-standing positions he was elected to the role of Grand Pensionary of Holland in 1653, essentially making him the ruler of all Dutch provinces.

By the time the 1672 Year of Disaster loomed over the Dutch Republic the people had already endured enough war and horror to last a lifetime under the eye of Johan De Witt. There were the Anglo-Dutch Wars which threatened the land, but De Witt remained focused on the sea, taking every step possible to protect the economic interests in shipping and trading that filled his pockets while paying little mind to the forces surrounding the Dutch at their front doors. He also made it a point to delay the appointment of William III as captain general. The stubbornness of De Witt would have deep consequences when in May 1672 Louis XIV invaded the Dutch Republic, thus beginning the third Anglo-Dutch War.

Portrait of Johan De Witt by Adriaen Hanneman (1652). Image via Wikipedia.

As troops moved straight into the heart of their homeland the exhausted Dutch people felt betrayed by their leadership and all eyes turned to Johan De Witt. Some were content to simply, but loudly, voice their opinions that the House of Orange should take back their power by any means necessary. Others showed their feelings of anger and betrayal in much more aggressive ways. On June 21st 1672 Johan De Witt was attacked by a man who was armed with a knife and an intent to kill. The assailant did succeed in brutally stabbing him, but he survived. Johan’s brother Cornelis was also feeling the pressure of the simmering public and on July 24th he was arrested under charges of treason against the House of Orange. He was brought to prison in The Hauge where he was tortured in order to obtain a confession. While his brother was recovering from being nearly assassinated, Cornelis was refusing to confess to any wrongdoing and was eventually sentenced to exile.

Being attacked with a malicious blade changed De Witt and after a lengthy recovery he resigned from his position on August 4th 1672. At the time of his resignation his brother Cornelis was still wallowing in prison with his exile looming. On August 20th Johan visited his brother at the prison to assist him and see him off on what was supposed to be his date of forever departure from his homeland. It is unknown what the pair discussed that day, but it is almost certain they had no clue what was about to happen. Yes, Johan resigned and Cornelis was exiled, but the Dutch people were not ready to let the brothers walk peacefully away into a new chapter while they were left with suffering and debt that could follow them for generations. As the brothers talked in the prison they were attacked by a mob that were set on tearing them limb from limb.

The Murder of the de Witt Brothers by Pieter Fris. Image via Wikipedia.

What unfolded was a scene that was feral, ferocious, and that has gone down in history through eyewitness accounts and multiple pieces of art. The mob ravaged the De Witt brothers. They were dragged into the street, shot, stripped of their clothing, and taken to the public gallows. If the brothers thought their end would be found in a broken neck at the end of a hangman’s noose they were terribly wrong. Once strung up the mob began to take souvenirs. Some accounts report that their eyes were stolen, others say they were later cut into pieces and distributed to the masses, and while that is up for debate one thing that is certain is that their bodies were sliced open, their livers stolen, and the organs were then roasted and consumed by those in attendance. After a lifetime of prestige and twenty years in power, Johan De Witt departed life alongside his brother after being mutilated and cannibalized by his own countrymen.

The Corpses of the De Witt Brothers by Jan de Baen. Image via Wikipedia.

With De Witt gone power went to William III of Orange, the same man who had his appointment as captain general stalled by De Witt and the son of William II whose death was used by De Witt and his father to make the turn to the Republican force that they hoped would keep the House of Orange out of power for good.

Whether William III had a hand in planning the attack and death of the De Witt brothers is debated to this day with answers unknown.

Today the prison where the De Witt brothers spent their last moments on earth still stands and has been repurposed as a history and art museum.

**********************************************

Sources:

That Time the Dutch ate their Prime Minister by Vlad Moca-Grama. DutchReview.com, March 3rd 2023. https://dutchreview.com/culture/dutch-history-crowds-ate-prime-minister/

A Dark and Stormy Bite: That Time a Bunch of Dutch People ate Their Prime Minister by Lillian Stone. TheTakeout.com, January 15th 2021. https://thetakeout.com/a-dark-and-stormy-bite-that-time-a-bunch-of-dutch-peop-1846044366

Johan De Witt. Encyclopedia.com.https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/johan-de-witt

#husheduphistory #featuredarticles #history #forgottenhistory #strangehistory #weirdhistory #tragichistory #historyclass #truestory #truth is stranger than fiction #DutchHistory #NetherlandsHistory #JohanDeWitt #ShockingHistory #horrorhistory #sadstory #HollandHistory

[frnwhcom]

In Dutch history, few events are as shocking and brutal as the deaths of Johan and Cornelis de Witt, two of the most prominent statesmen of the 17th century Dutch Republic. Their demise in 1672, during a period aptly termed the “Rampjaar” or “Disaster Year,” was not just a personal tragedy but also a pivotal…

#17thCenturyNetherlands #CornelisDeWitt #DutchGoldenAge #DutchHistory #DutchRepublic #EuropeanHistory #HouseOfOrange #JohanDeWitt #politicalAssassination #politicalTurmoil #Rampjaar1672 #WilliamIIIofOrange #frnwh

[its-suanneschafer-author]

BOOK REVIEW: #EyeOfTheBeholder by #NancyJSnyder. A marvelous look at the interplay between art and optics, artists and scientists in 17th century Netherlands. https://suanneschaferauthor.com/book-review-eye-of-the-beholder/

#17thCenturyArt #CameraObscura #DutchHistory #HistoryOfArt #HistoryOfOptics #Vermeer #Galileo #Leeuwenhoek #Rembrandt #NonFiction #AmReading #Bookstagram

[thebookshelfmonster]

Books in Museums I: The Memory Book of Maria van Nesse “Rich and Independent: Maria van Nesse (1588-1650)” is a small but very well-curated exhibition currently on at the Stedelijk Museum in Alkmaar, Netherlands, and at the heart of it is a unique “memoriebook” belonging to a seventeenth century woman. Maria van Nesse was an incredibly wealthy woman in seventeenth-century Alkmaar. She was a Roman Catholic in a Protestant town, unmarried and completely in control of her finances. And she kept a “memorieboek” which was a diary and account book where she recorded details of every purchase she made. The “memorieboek”, which was discovered in 2019 in a family archive in Belgium, helps reconstruct van Nesse’s life and times in Alkmaar during the period which it covers, from 1623 to 1646. This exhibition was such a delight to explore. Using this rare book, the exhibition brought to life the domestic affairs and social world of an extraordinary woman from the early modern age. #bookstagram #booksondisplay #bookdisplay #oldbooks #historicbooks #oldbooksmell #memorybook #accountbook #bookkeeping #journaling #earlymodern #womeninhistory #dutchhistory #netherlands #alkmaar #stedelijkmuseum #museums #europeanhistory #womenshistory #historyofthebook #booklovers #womenwhowrite #mariavannesse (at Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnxVRbVLaa9/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#bookstagram #booksondisplay #bookdisplay #oldbooks #historicbooks #oldbooksmell #memorybook #accountbook #bookkeeping #journaling #earlymodern #womeninhistory #dutchhistory #netherlands #alkmaar #stedelijkmuseum #museums #europeanhistory #womenshistory #historyofthebook #booklovers #womenwhowrite #mariavannesse

[thepodcastisland]

We are so excited to announce that our next guest is the talk radio producer - James Golden. Tomorrow the interview will be live on Spotify & YouTube - ISLAND Voices !🎙 Listen on october 7th. @bosnerdley Because history is cool. 👌🏻

#podcastersofinstagram #guest #podcastguest #historypodcast #historyiscool #manhattan #podcaststorytelling #storyteller #newepisode #podcastlife #history #historylover #historyfacts #voices #spotify #spotifypodcast #youtubechannel #historical #newyorkcity #dutchhistory #americanhistory

[skydinzeal]

✨🌠England gets it's name from Land of Engels (Anglo-Saxons). They shaped everything after they defeated the Britons. This is the Sutton-Hoo helmet, very much of the Saxon style; it's Nordic and yet very ornate! Note the Irminsul in Gold! In some way I think my jewelry work is similar. They are my ancestors. Also note the intellectual Saxon perspective on the Gods! Incidentally the term Anglo is derived from Angel and these people were noted as such by the Romans. 🔥⚡👽🌟🦋👑🌷 PICTURED IS ONE OF MY LOCKET RINGS! It is both ancient, like a futuristic spaceship and features over 100 symbols that each could make a very powerful Talisman indeed! These are the symbols that Norsemen who were also businessmen along the silk road used to increase wealth. There are also countless symbols of protection from evil spirits and blessings from the divine! 🔭🌠💜👽✨ I am still trying to rebuild all my jewelry & art that was stolen when I was assaulted & robbed. I am looking for a quality SPIRITUAL STORE or ART GALLERY to sell my jewelry. I am a rare, tireless entertainer, salesperson and psychic. I have huge social media reach and can work day and night continuously! I don't even need to eat, but there's one thing I won't do and that's be complacent! If you would like to make a connection happen contact me. If it works out I will pay you! . . . . . #sorcery #magick #polytheism #pagangods #occultsymbols #elven #gameofthrones #saxons #witchesofinstagram #metaphysical #medieval #sacredgeometry #gameofthrones #heathen #sorcery #celtic #anglosaxon #dutchhistory #wizard  #witchy #stonehenge #vikings #druid #mythology #heathen #pagans #norse #englandsorigin  #germanic #suttonhoo (at Brooklyn, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/CdLo4EHumMl/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#sorcery #magick #polytheism #pagangods #occultsymbols #elven #gameofthrones #saxons #witchesofinstagram #metaphysical #medieval #sacredgeometry #heathen #celtic #anglosaxon #dutchhistory #wizard #witchy #stonehenge #vikings #druid #mythology #pagans #norse #englandsorigin #germanic #suttonhoo

[notourist]

Jantje

A bit of history - turns out the cute statue opposite the Parliament buildings was a real person, and at the age of 12 he ran the place. #DutchHistory

View On WordPress

#Den Haag #history #Jantje #statue

[sandyhookhistory]

"A One For One Swap." Eighty Years Ago, Today - (Friday) December 11th, 1942. In the Mediterranean, 69 miles northwest of Oran, Algeria, U-443, a Type VIIC, is stalking Convoy KMF-4. Outbound from England, it is enroute to support the Allied efforts in North Africa, now a month old. She fires a pair of torpedoes - both find their mark on the Royal Navy destoryer HMS Blean (L-47, Hunt-Class, Photo 1). She is gone in four minutes, taking 89 Officers and Men with her. 94 others make it over the side, and are rescued. Meanwhile, the 6,400 ton German cargo ship "SS Trautenfels" (Photo 2) is cruising through the North Sea. Off Terschelling, an island on the north coast of Holland. She runs into a mine, and down she goes. There are No Fatalities. Juuuust another day. ** 🇺🇲🇺🇲 ** Please Like & Follow "Sandy Hook History" on Facebook & Instagram for more amazing maritime and military histories of the Garden State and New York Harbor as well as a review of the 80th Anniversary of the Battle Of The Atlantic and World War 2** 🇺🇲🇺🇲 Photos: 1, uboat.net; 2, wrecksite.eu #visitmonmouth #newjerseybuzz #thejournalnj #locallivingnj #journeythroughjersey #onlyinnewjersey #njspots #centraljerseyexists #discovernj #yesnj #newjerseyhistory #newjerseyforyou #sandyhookbeach #sandyhooknj #sandyhookhistory #forthancockhistory #forthancock #battleoftheatlantic #battleofthemediterranean #operationtorch #royalnavy #hmsblean #Kriegsmarine #uboats #uboat #torpedoattack #convoybattle #seamine #northseacoast #dutchhistory (at Fort Hancock, New Jersey) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmCd8ItA7k7/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#visitmonmouth #newjerseybuzz #thejournalnj #locallivingnj #journeythroughjersey #onlyinnewjersey #njspots #centraljerseyexists #discovernj #yesnj #newjerseyhistory #newjerseyforyou #sandyhookbeach #sandyhooknj #sandyhookhistory #forthancockhistory #forthancock #battleoftheatlantic #battleofthemediterranean #operationtorch #royalnavy #hmsblean #kriegsmarine #uboats #uboat #torpedoattack #convoybattle #seamine #northseacoast #dutchhistory

[omniatlas]

NEW MAP: Europe 69: Revolt of the Batavi (24 Oct 69 AD) https://buff.ly/2p3l7rY In August 69 the Danube legions declared for Vespasian (in Egypt), invading Italy and defeating the Roman emperor Vitellius at the Second Battle of Bedriacum in October. Meanwhile, on the Rhine, the Batavi and allied tribes—including many veteran auxiliary troops—rose up against Vitellius’ attempts to forcibly conscript them, defeating two Roman legions. The Batavi held out for a year, finally surrendering to Vespasian’s forces in 70 AD. #ancient #ancienteurope #ancientrome #romanemperor #vespasian #batavi #belgium #cartographer #cartography #dutchhistory #europe #europeanhistory #historicalplace #historie #historygeek #historymaker #historymatters #instahistory #map #maps #nederlands #netherlands #roman #romancivilwar #romancivilwars #romanempire #romanhistory #romans #worldhistory #newmap (at Xanten) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4CGSvwAy-Z/?igshid=841ztdrvfaxa

#ancient #ancienteurope #ancientrome #romanemperor #vespasian #batavi #belgium #cartographer #cartography #dutchhistory #europe #europeanhistory #historicalplace #historie #historygeek #historymaker #historymatters #instahistory #map #maps #nederlands #netherlands #roman #romancivilwar #romancivilwars #romanempire #romanhistory #romans #worldhistory #newmap

[lpliketherecord]

This could be us, but you're playin'. 🤣 For the non Dutchies: It literally says "All birds have built a nest, except for you and me. What are we waiting for?" It is a modern version of the first written Dutch sentence "Hebban olla vogala nestas hagunnan hinase hic anda thu", scribbled in a margin somewhere by a Flemish monk who wanted to test his pen. #nofilter #streetart #writing #dutchhistory #dutchlanguage #hebbanollavogala #thiscouldbeusbutyouplayin https://www.instagram.com/p/B9Ksengna8n/?igshid=16fu1pqmcltrw

#nofilter #streetart #writing #dutchhistory #dutchlanguage #hebbanollavogala #thiscouldbeusbutyouplayin

[chantalvdreijden]

Dat zwaard zit net op de verkeerde plek 😉 #derdebeen #standbeeld #statue #statues #floris #streetphotography #straatfotografie #straatkunst #artwork #dutchhistory #hollandsegeschiedenis #lovephotography #photographer #photography #fotografie #fotograferen https://www.instagram.com/p/CaUxGcbj531/?utm_medium=tumblr

#derdebeen #standbeeld #statue #statues #floris #streetphotography #straatfotografie #straatkunst #artwork #dutchhistory #hollandsegeschiedenis #lovephotography #photographer #photography #fotografie #fotograferen

[historyfoundhere]

In Vlaardingen ontdekten we dat de stad hele bijzondere putdeksels heeft. Op de putdeksel staat Dirk III. Dirk was graaf van West-Frisia en had in 1017 een tolheffing ingevoerd voor passage over de Merwede (nu de Nieuwe Maas) bij Vlaardingen. Dit was zonder medeweten van Keizer Heinrich II van het Oost-Frankische Rijk. Dirk III werd door de keizer gesommeerd de heffing te stoppen, maar dit weigerde hij. Hierop werd een 1000 man sterk ridderleger naar Vlaardingen gezonden. Het dorp Vlaardingen was slechts zo’n 17 woningen groot en lag naast de burcht van Dirk. Door het moerassige gebied moest het keizerlijke leger onder aanvoering van Godfried van Lotharingen een omtrekkende beweging maken. Hier liepen zij in een hinderlaag en de West-Friese boerenmacht maakte korte metten met de keizerlijke ridders. Godfried werd gevangen genomen. Na onderhandelingen werd Godfried vrijgelaten en teruggezonden naar de keizer. Deze besloot vrede te sluiten met Dirk III en hiermee werd de basis gelegd voor het latere ontstaan van het graafschap Holland. ————- At Vlaardingen the birth of Holland took place. A West-Frisian count; Dirk III, started asking for toll money. Ships sailing between England and the cities of the Holy Roman Empire of Heinrich II had to pay money while passing Vlaardingen. This was against the will of the Emperor and after Dirk declined to stop, an army of a 1000 knights was send to Vlaardingen. Here they had to pass a swamp of which the few hundred peasants who defended Vlaardingen took advantage. An ambush was laid and hundreds of knights were slaughtered or drowned. Their captain, Godfrey of Lotharingen, was captured and released back to the Emperor. After this Dirk was allowed to keep asking for toll. This independence would later be seen as the birth of Dutch independence and more precise the birth of the county of Holland. #vlaardingen #zuidholland #knight #ridder #putdeksel #putdeksels #holyromanempire #godfrey #heinrichii #dirkiii #slagbijvlaardingen #middeleeuwen #holland #bestofholland #dutchhistory #nederland #nederlandsegeschiedenis #merwede #haringkoppen #verborgenverleden #oostfrankischreich #westfriezen #zwaard #historyfound (bij Vlaardingen, Netherlands) https://www.instagram.com/p/CT92r2bsWQi/?utm_medium=tumblr

#vlaardingen #zuidholland #knight #ridder #putdeksel #putdeksels #holyromanempire #godfrey #heinrichii #dirkiii #slagbijvlaardingen #middeleeuwen #holland #bestofholland #dutchhistory #nederland #nederlandsegeschiedenis #merwede #haringkoppen #verborgenverleden #oostfrankischreich #westfriezen #zwaard #historyfound

[ofgraveconcern]

15th May 1492, end of the Dutch peasants revolt known as the Cheese & Bread rebellion, for the depictions of cheese and bread on the movement's banners. Rebelling against tax oppression, the inhabitants of the towns of Hoorn, Alkmaar and Haarlem stormed and destroyed two castles, killing all tax collectors. The movement was put down on this day by German mercenaries who killed over two hundred peasants. On the same day in 1525….. 15th May 1525, date of the battle of Frankenhausen, and end of the ‘German Peasant War’. Europe’s largest and most widespread popular uprising prior to the French Revolution of 1789. The Peasant War saw between 1524 and 1525, the slaughter of 100,000 poorly armed peasants and farmers led by German preacher and radical theologian of the early Protestant Reformation Thomas Müntzer. The final confrontation of this day, saw the violent put down of the movement with a further 5,000 killed. After the Battle, Thomas Müntzer was captured, tortured and executed. Please follow @ofgrave.concern for more tales of the gothic, strange and macabre from history. #netherlands🇳🇱 #netherlandshistory #15thcentury #thisweekinhistory #cheeseandbread #medievalhistory #latemedieval #netherlands🇱🇺 #dutchhistory #peasant #peasants #germanhistory #germanhistory🇩🇪 #frankenhausen #16thcenturyhistory #16thcentury #historymemesdaily #renaissancehistory #historicalmemes #historic #historystories #historicalstories #medievalhistorylovers #historyfacts #onthisdayinhistory #historymemes #historyfacts #historyfactsdaily #historylesson #historyweek https://www.instagram.com/p/CO2_omqHZ-h/?igshid=n2vwmx4bylm6

#netherlands🇳🇱 #netherlandshistory #15thcentury #thisweekinhistory #cheeseandbread #medievalhistory #latemedieval #netherlands🇱🇺 #dutchhistory #peasant #peasants #germanhistory #germanhistory🇩🇪 #frankenhausen #16thcenturyhistory #16thcentury #historymemesdaily #renaissancehistory #historicalmemes #historic #historystories #historicalstories #medievalhistorylovers #historyfacts #onthisdayinhistory #historymemes #historyfactsdaily #historylesson #historyweek

[its-suanneschafer-author]

BOOK REVIEW: #EyeOfTheBeholder by #NancyJSnyder. A marvelous look at the interplay between art and optics, artists and scientists in 17th century Netherlands. https://suanneschaferauthor.com/book-review-eye-of-the-beholder/ 

#17thCenturyArt #CameraObscura #DutchHistory #HistoryOfArt #HistoryOfOptics #Vermeer #Galileo #Leeuwenhoek #Rembrandt #bookstagram #am reading #Nonfiction #nonfiction books

[soapkaars]

“¡Mi querido y estimado amigo! I hear young Guillermo is making himself quite comfortable with his majesty!” “And I hear, he bought a title in Orange to get in here in the first place...” “Oh yes, but Felipe is next in line...” “... and he doesn’t like how that Dillenburger whippersnapper is cozying up with the Protestants...” “Oh we’re in for some exquisite drama!” I felt like drawing some 16th century Spanish courtiers so here you are. Can you guess who they’re talking about? . . . #drawing #sketch #sketchbook #gouache #acrylicpainting #ecolinebrushpen #spain #16thcentury #spanishhistory #dutchhistory #courtier #perioddrama #16thcenturyfashion #fashion #peterlorre #vincentprice https://www.instagram.com/p/CNQb1JpjYBN/?igshid=1db6bbcjk5ca4

#drawing #sketch #sketchbook #gouache #acrylicpainting #ecolinebrushpen #spain #16thcentury #spanishhistory #dutchhistory #courtier #perioddrama #16thcenturyfashion #fashion #peterlorre #vincentprice

[joseph-mansfield]

Very interesting read (in Dutch only) of the long line of Counts of Holland from ca. 880 (Gerulf, father of Dirk I) through 1581 (Philip II). No counts since then, just Stadtholders (and sometimes even no stadtholders) until 1795, a shortlived republic, a French king, his brother the French Emperor Napoleon, and kings and queens since 1813. #holland #dutchhistory (at Upper East Side) https://www.instagram.com/p/CJhDn9VJvyL/?igshid=jr9qj9zk4pi2

#holland #dutchhistory