Johan van Oldenbarnevelt, the architect of the Dutch Republic's early political and commercial framework, was executed in 1619 on the orders of the States-General — largely at the instigation of Maurice of Nassau, his former ally. The charge was treason, but the real conflict was over whether to extend the Twelve Years' Truce with Spain, which Oldenbarnevelt supported and Maurice opposed. This 1997 issue marks the occasion of the truce's anniversary and rehabilitates a figure who spent nearly two centuries in official disgrace.
Johan van Oldenbarnevelt, the architect of the Dutch Republic's early political and commercial framework, was executed in 1619 on the orders of the States-General — largely at the instigation of Maurice of Nassau, his former ally. The charge was treason, but the real conflict was over whether to extend the Twelve Years' Truce with Spain, which Oldenbarnevelt supported and Maurice opposed. This 1997 issue marks the occasion of the truce's anniversary and rehabilitates a figure who spent nearly two centuries in official disgrace.