Oldenbarnevelt

Johan van Oldenbarnevelt was a prominent Dutch statesman during the Eighty Years' War. Born in 1547, he rose to become the Grand Pensionary of Holland, a position of immense political power within the Dutch Republic. He was a key figure in the struggle for independence from Spain, playing a crucial role in both military and diplomatic efforts.

Oldenbarnevelt was instrumental in the formation of the Dutch East India Company and the Dutch West India Company, organizations that were vital to the economic success of the burgeoning republic. He was also a leading proponent of religious tolerance, advocating for a more moderate Calvinism and opposing the strict views of figures like Franciscus Gomarus. This stance led to significant internal conflict within the Netherlands.

His political career ended tragically. In 1618, he was arrested and put on trial for treason, largely due to his opposition to Maurice of Nassau, the Stadtholder of the Netherlands, and his more radical Calvinist allies. Despite his long service to the republic, he was found guilty and executed in 1619. His death was a controversial event that deeply divided the Dutch Republic and continues to be a subject of historical debate.