Leeven en dood der doorlugtige heeren gebroeders Cornelis de Witt [...] en Johan de Witt, 1708

Title: Leeven en dood der doorlugtige heeren gebroeders Cornelis de Witt [...] en Johan de Witt, 1708
Author: Emanuel van der Hoeven
Publisher: Te Amsterdam, Jan ten Hoorn
Condition: Very Good

A biographical work on the Life and death of the cunning gentlemen and brothers, Cornelis and Johan de Witt. Being the older and more ambitious of the two, Johan was a major political figure of the Dutch Republic in the mid-17^th century, effectivity controlling the entire Dutch political system from around 1650, until his untimely death in 1672, working from nearly all major cities, and working with numerous factions. As a Republican, the de Witt Brothers opposed the Royal House of Orange-Nassau, and attempted to shift power to the regenten, or rather the de factor rulers of the Republic. However, as they neglected their military prowess, the Republic suffered a horrendous loss in the year of May 1672, otherwise known as the Rampjaar, when they were subsequently invaded by an alliance of England, France, and several German states. Although the nation stabilized shortly after thanks from the aid of the Holy Roman Emperor, the de Witt brothers found themselves to be the target of suspicion and hatred. They were both assassinated by a lynch mob which was purportedly instigated by Orangists, their bodies mutilated, and their hearts carved out as grim trophies.

There are two full page engravings of Johann and Cornelis de Witt present, with the large folding plate of the brothers’ assassination and frontispiece lacking.

One volume in octavo, (16)+280+(2), 385+(13) pages

On note of condition, this volume is in very good shape, with very little rubbing or wear to the boards. There is foxing throughout.