Barneveldt

Barneveldt, JAN VAN OLDEN, Grand Pensionary of Holland, who played a great part in the long struggle with Spain, was born at Amersfoort in Utrecht in 1547, and in 1569 commenced practice at the Hague as an advocate. He early showed great ardour in the cause of the independence of his country; and as advocate-general of the province of Holland (1585), he proved equally his insight into affairs and his address in diplomatic management. Through Barneveldt's influence Prince Maurice succeeded his murdered father as stadtholder; but Barneveldt it also was, who, becoming head of the republican party, opposed the warlike tendencies of Maurice, concluded (1609) a truce with Spain, and prevented the States-general from joining the revolt of the Bohemians. His influence excited the House of Nassau to still greater jealousy, which in the religious controversies between the Remonstrants and Gomarists degenerated into the bitterest hostility (see ARMINIUS). To obviate a civil war, Barneveldt proposed an ecclesiastical assembly, which resulted in agreeing to a general toleration in respect of the disputed points. The States at first concurred in this wise measure; but the intrigues of the Orange party brought about a change of views, by representing the Remonstrants as secret friends of Spain. Barneveldt, who sympathised with the more tolerant principles of that party, was attacked in scurrilous publications, and was insulted even in the meeting of the States by the mob, with whom Maurice was an idol. The strife between the Remonstrants and Gomarists became hotter every day, and threatened to end in civil war. In 1618 Barneveldt was illegally arrested, along with Grotius and Hoogerbeets, and thrown into prison. In the following November Maurice procured the summoning of the Synod of Dort, which condemned the Remonstrants with the utmost rigour and injustice. In March 1619, while the Synod was still sitting, Barneveldt was brought to trial before a special commission of twenty-four judges, who condemned as a traitor the innocent man to whom his country owed its political existence. It was in vain that his friends and relations raised their voice; Maurice was not to be moved. On May 13, 1619, the venerable man of 71 years of age mounted the scaffold, and laid down his head with the same firmness that he had shown through all the events of his life. His two sons were at the same time dismissed from office. Four years after their father's death they took part in a conspiracy against the life of the prince, which, however, was discovered. The elder escaped to Antwerp, the younger was seized and beheaded. See Motley's Life of Barneveldt (2 vols. 1874).