John de Witt
Statesman of the "True Freedom"

A biography of Holland's 'philosopher-king', the 'Grand Pensionary' John de Witt (1625–72).

Herbert H. Rowen (Author)

9780521527088, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 13 November 2003

248 pages
21.7 x 13.8 x 1.8 cm, 0.34 kg

If the combination of superb political skills and a powerful intelligence were enough to make a 'philosopher-king' such as Plato dreamed of, the Dutch 'Grand Pensionary' John de Witt (1625–72) would fit the prescription as well as any statesman in history. Manoeuvring among the powers of Europe in the period of France's growing ascendancy, and facing the bitter commercial and political rivalry of the English, he managed to preserve the eminent position the United Provinces had reached when Spain recognized their independence at Munster in 1648. Not until the kings of France and England combined against the Republic in 1672 did De Witt's political system, called the 'True Freedom' and consisting of the maximum autonomy of the provinces and the exclusion of Prince William III of Orange from high office, collapse during the French invasion, an event accompanied by the horrific assassination of De Witt and his brother Cornelius.

Preface
Prologue
1. To the threshold, 1625–1650
2. Apprenticeship of power, 1651–1653
3. The first task, 1653–1654
4. The man of thought
5. Consolidation of the 'True Freedom', 1654–1660
6. The challenge of Stuart and Orange, 1660–1664
7. The humbling of the foe, 1665–1667
8. A snarling peace, 1665–1667
9. The reversal of alliances, 1667–1670
10. Against the tide, 1670–1672
11. Collapse of the 'True Freedom', March–August 1672
12. The worst of days, July–August 1672
Epilogue
A bibliographical essay
Index.

Subject Areas: Early modern history: c 1450/1500 to c 1700 [HBLH], European history [HBJD]