Public Opinion and Changing Identities in the Early Modern Netherlands: Essays in Honour of Alastair Duke (review)

This Festschrift for Alastaire Duke examines topics illuminating the uncertain time that created the Dutch Republic, the great alternative in Old Regime political life. The place of literary societies in creating debate and criticism in public affairs is a major feature of the research of Duke, who identified a public sphere and even public opinion in early modern Europe. He revealed how people in the Netherlands came to create a "culture of communication" despite the complexities of the provinces and their elusive public character, a theme in much of the festschrift.

The essays by Paul Regan, Henk van Nierop, and Juliaan Woltjer consider how the citizens of the new land viewed their situation and themselves. Regan's essay on cartography gives a short history of the development of accurate representations of the provinces after 1557. Some of the maps and the geographical descriptions in chorographies honored the patrie, but the larger goal was exact representation of the entire known world. Van Nierop evaluates how pamphlets, plays, and prints shaped opinion. He studies the chronicles of Van Haecht and Van Vaernewijck and the diary of Wonter Jacobsz for the effect of rumors as the bitter clash with Spain developed. Juliaan Woltjer describes the wide divergence of religious opinion in the Netherlands. Philip's determination to extirpate heresy encountered resistance that was only partially faith-based. Demands for fair trials and proper legal procedures joined with a growing desire for toleration. This essay details the variety of religious beliefs and experiences among the Protestants and the uneven application of persecution.

Hugh Dunthorne shows how it became the shining example of resistance to oppression to Schiller and Goethe and in nineteenth-century opera, history, and paintings. Gustaaf Janssens details the Church's support for Spain when the Duke of Alba used a pardon to attract the aristocracy and to complete the settlement of the rebellion of 1566. Richardot's sermon praised Philip II as well as Alba, but the bishop's words ignored the recent horrors of Spanish rule. Guido Marnef touches on the reaffirmation of powers and privileges that became the foundation for the Dutch Republic. In 1574 Philip's continuing struggle in the provinces required revenue and he had to bargain with the estates of Brabant, which demanded full restoration of the privileges and powers that advanced the common good rather than princely and aristocratic authority. He argues that Brabant inspired a renewal of constitutional principles and discussion in politics. Andrew Sawyer adds to that idea, showing how images helped to create a dissident political culture. His excellent illustrations show how representation of the Netherlands shifted to realistic scenes of things and people, mingling theory, propaganda, and art.

There is similar analysis in Joke Spaans's essay. Fifteen chambers of rhetoric performed original plays concerning issues of war, peace, and religious order, and Spaans argues that they shaped public opinion by encouraging thought and discussion. Not everyone welcomed the changes encouraged by such discussion. Nicolette Mout's essay on Justus Lipsius summarizes the anxiety of a conservative. A scholar caught up in religious and political turmoil, Lipsius decided to leave the exciting University of Leiden for the orthodox blandness of the University of Louvain. He could not adapt to the ways of the Dutch Republic and the Reformed Church. Yet others affirmed the new faith and nation. Raingard Esser examines propaganda designed to foster unity against Spanish tyranny. Writings in Gelderland and Zeeland showed how the revolt and Spanish actions drew the provinces toward unity even though foundation myths, geography, and unique historical experiences reinforced provincialism.

Regional identity had visible manifestation in stained glass windows commissioned by urban magistrates. Andrew Spicer uses the example of Janskerk in Gouda with its impressive array of sixteenth-century glass. While the Reformed Church shunned stained glass, magistrates sought to...