Life and Death of John of Barneveld, Advocate of Holland : with a view of the primary causes and movements of the Thirty Years' War, 1609-14

"The Life and Death of John of Barneveld, Advocate of Holland" by John Lothrop Motley is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The narrative focuses on John of Barneveld, a significant figure in Dutch history who played a pivotal role during the political and religious turmoil of the early 17th century, notably from the perspective of the Thirty Years' War and the conflicts between religious factions in the Netherlands. The opening of the work introduces the tumultuous backdrop of Barneveld’s political life, characterized by the complex interplay of power among Protestant factions, dynastic interests, and the ongoing conflict with Catholic Spain. It details the establishment of joint governance in disputed territories like Cleve and Julich, revealing the encroaching tensions between the Calvinist and Catholic forces. This period is marked by failed negotiations and significant military movements, illustrating the precarious balance of power and Barneveld's advocacy for the sovereignty and independence of the Dutch Republic amidst rising sectarian violence and diplomatic intrigue. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

John Lothrop Motley was an American author and diplomat. As a popular historian, he is best known for his works on the Netherlands, the three volume work The Rise of the Dutch Republic and four volume History of the United Netherlands. As United States Minister to Austria in the service of the Abraham Lincoln administration, Motley helped to prevent European intervention on the side of the Confederates in the American Civil War. He later served as Minister to the United Kingdom during the Ulysses S. Grant administration.