The Dutch Revolt was one of the defining moments in the history of Europe. Johan van Oldenbarnevelt was a key figure in this period, helping Prince William the Silent form the Dutch Republic. Unfortunately, Johan was sentenced to death for treason in what many critics say was a “kangaroo court”. For the longest time, an account of his final days was never found. Until now.
According to The Guardian, an old diary written by one of Johan’s servants has resurfaced. It details how Johan refused to accept his execution in his final years in prison during his trial.
The book is currently on display at Flehite Museum in Amersfoort, Johan’s old home in the Netherlands. It will be on display until the end of the year, on the 400th anniversary of his death.
The museum has expressed great excitement about retrieving this book:
“It has a national value, it is priceless, in a way. There was not a lot about sentimentality in the book but you can see the old man at seventy-two, when he died, could not believe it would end like this. He could not believe that his former friend and companion wants to achieve this at the end.”
A little piece of Dutch history sounds like an interesting read.
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