Johan van Oldenbarneveldt

Home > People > History > Benelux History: Biographies

Johan van Oldenbarneveldt , 1547–1619, Dutch statesman. He aided William the Silent in the struggle for Dutch independence from Spain and opposed the dictatorial policy set by Robert Dudley, earl of Leicester , chosen by the States-General as governor-general in 1586. After Leicester's departure (1587) he helped to concentrate military power in the hands of Maurice of Nassau . Made permanent advocate of Holland in 1586, Oldenbarneveldt controlled the civil affairs of the United Provinces (in which Holland was prominent). He represented the patrician manufacturing and commercial oligarchies that ruled the states of Holland; and during his administration Dutch commerce expanded spectacularly, and the Dutch East India Company was founded. He negotiated (1609) a 12-year truce with Spain, despite the objections of Maurice of Nassau, and thus secured virtual recognition of Dutch independence. As leader of the party favoring control of state affairs by the States-General, Oldenbarneveldt was increasingly opposed by the house of Orange. This conflict was aggravated by the fierce struggle of the Remonstrants and the strict Calvinists; in this quarrel, Oldenbarneveldt and Maurice of Nassau found themselves in opposing camps. In 1618, Maurice, determined to crush the Remonstrants, convoked the Synod of Dort, which condemned their doctrine. Oldenbarneveldt was arrested and, after a highly irregular trial for treason, was sentenced to death. His execution was a judicial murder brought about by his personal enemies; no incriminating evidence has ever been found against Oldenbarneveldt, who was one of the ablest and most patriotic statesmen in the history of the Dutch.

Oldenbarneveldt, Johan van (1547–1619) Dutch statesman and lawyer who played a key role in the DUTCH REVOLTS. A Calvinist and a keen supporter of WILLIAM I (the Silent), he helped to negotiate the Union of Utrecht (1579). After 1586, as leader of the Estates of Holland, he managed to impose unity on the diverse political, economic, and religious interests of the UNITED PROVINCES. He negotiated a twelve-year truce with Spain in 1609, but after this his political differences with Maurice of Nassau became part of a bitter internecine quarrel between two rival schools of Calvinism, and eventually Maurice had Oldenbarneveldt tried and executed on a charge of treason.

Oldenbarneveldt, Johan van (1547–1619) Dutch political leader in the Revolt of the Netherlands. With William I (the Silent), he founded the Dutch Republic. He helped to arrange the union of the provinces at Utrecht (1579), and supported Maurice of Nassau as stadtholder when William was assassinated (1584). From 1586 he was the dominant figure in Holland and, with Maurice, practically the ruler of the United Provinces. He was instrumental in securing the truce with Spain (1609), which implied Dutch independence. He fell out with Maurice over religious differences and after an unjust trial was executed.