Stern, J.D.; (2007) The phoenix from the ashes. Orangism in word and image 1650-1672. Doctoral thesis , University of London.

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Abstract

The sudden death of the Prince of Orange William II in 1650 was followed by twenty-two years of government without a stadholder in the majority of the Dutch provinces. The hopes of the Orangists centred on his posthumous son William III and the expectation that one day he would succeed to the offices of his forefathers. To this end, the supporters of the House of Orange defined and defended the role of the stadholderate within the constitutional framework of the Dutch Republic. This thesis examines the nature of the stadholderate in Orangist polemic and imagery and the crucial role which the 'single head' was alleged to play within the Union of Utrecht. Rebutting the writings of John de Witt and his supporters, the Orangists were to argue that without a stadholder and captain general the Dutch Republic was doomed to fall victim to internal discord or external aggression. Orangist sentiment centred on the person of the young prince and the gratitude owed to his forefathers. Inherent in this thinking was the assumption that only William III could become stadholder in his turn. Essential to this strategy was the rebuttal of attacks on the persons and policies of the previous stadholders, particularly William I and Maurice. At critical times, the supporters of the Prince were able to exploit a strand of popular Orangism which came to fruition in the crisis year of 1672. This thesis examines the various strands of the Orangist argument. The sources used include political pamphlets, particularly those listed in the Knuttel collection. poetry, drama and visual imagery including portraits, prints and medals. The aim of the thesis is to bring together sources from the various media to create a coherent picture of the Orangist case from 1650 to William III's failure to become Duke of Gelderland in 1675.

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