Page 56 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - The Netherlands

54  INTRODUCING THE NE THERLANDS

The Golden Age

For the north of Holland the 17th century was a time of
unprecedented flowering in trade, art (see pp30–31) and Groningen
science. While elsewhere in Europe economies were in Amsterdam
stagnation, the republic’s merchant fleet brought great
prosperity, particularly to the towns of Amsterdam
and Utrecht. The Amsterdam Exchange (Amsterdamse Antwerpen Maastricht
Wisselbank), which was founded in 1609, ensured that
Amsterdam became the financial centre of the world. The Low Countries (1650)
Trade was protected by a powerful navy, which enjoyed Republic
significant victories under Michiel de Ruyter.
Spanish possessions
Tapestries and exquisite
Johan de Witt gilded leather hangings Germany
At the time known as the decorated the living rooms.
first stadholder-free period
(1650–72), the political
scene in the republic
was dominated by the
provincial governor
Johan de Witt. This
brilliant, impeccable
statesman was
murdered along with his
brother Cornelis by Orange
supporters in 1672.

View of the Weigh House in Haarlem
In the 17th century, Holland became
Europe’s main commodities market, with
strategic logistic and financial advantages.
Products from the Baltic Sea, southern
Europe, the Levant and Asia were loaded Oriental carpets were too Colourful clothes came into fashion
into the holds of merchant ships which valuable to put on the floor in the second half of the 17th century
came from all over the world. and so were draped over a and became a widespread object of
table or bench. study for portrait painters.

Spanish stew-kettle recovered
1559 Philip II names 1572 The “Beggars 1574 The relief after the relief of Leiden
Margaretha of Parma the of the Sea” take of Leiden
governor of over Den Briel
the Netherlands 1584 Assassination 1585 Fall of 1602 Dutch East India
of William of Orange Antwerp Company founded
1550 1565 1580 1595 1610
1566 1581 Northern
Iconoclastic Holland
Riots 1567 Duke of declares 1588 The States General proclaim the
Caricature painting
of the Pope as a Alva arrives independence Republic of the Seven United Netherlands
pontiff and devil in Holland from Spain

054-055_EW_Netherlands.indd 54 14/03/2017 15:10
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Starsight history template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.2)
Date 7th January 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm