The Black Tulip · Chapter
A Grateful People explained
The chapter sets the historical stage in 1672, detailing the political turmoil in the Dutch Republic.
What happens
The chapter sets the historical stage in 1672, detailing the political turmoil in the Dutch Republic. It describes the fall of the De Witt brothers, John and Cornelius, who are persecuted by an Orangist mob after the repeal of the Perpetual Edict and the rise of William of Orange. Cornelius is arrested, tortured, and sentenced to exile, while John resigns his office. The mob gathers at the Buytenhof to witness Cornelius's departure, incited by the informer Tyckelaer, but is held back by Count Tilly and his cavalry.
Themes in this chapter
Injustice and Persecution
Cornelius de Witt is unjustly accused, tortured, and sentenced to exile despite his innocence, reflecting the persecution of political figures by a vengeful mob.
Political Turmoil
The chapter vividly portrays the volatile political climate of the Dutch Republic in 1672, with factional strife between Orangists and Republicans leading to mob violence.
Class and Social Hierarchy
The mob's envy and hatred of the aristocratic De Witts highlight class tensions, as the 'burghers' and 'rabble' seek to bring down the powerful.
Characters to notice
- Cornelius de Witt
Arrested, tortured, and sentenced to exile; steadfastly refuses to confess to the alleged plot against William of Orange.
- John de Witt
Resigned as Grand Pensionary; wounded in an earlier assassination attempt; hurries to meet his fate at the Buytenhof.
- William of Orange
Urges events to restore the Stadtholderate; idolized by the mob and the Orange faction.
- Tyckelaer
A surgeon who falsely accuses Cornelius de Witt of plotting assassination; incites the mob with embellished tales.
- Count Tilly
Captain of the mounted troops; maintains order at the Buytenhof, preventing the mob from storming the prison.
- Louis XIV
Mentioned as the French king whose influence and gold are suspected to be behind the De Witts' intrigues.
- Marquis de Louvois
Mentioned as the French minister allegedly funding the De Witts' plots.
Key passages
“The Athenians, who indeed have left behind them a pretty tolerable reputation for ingratitude, have in this respect to yield precedence to the Dutch.”
The Dutch surpass even the famously ungrateful Athenians in their ingratitude toward their leaders.
The narrator compares the Dutch mob's treatment of the De Witts to the Athenian exile of Aristides, emphasizing the depth of public betrayal.
“It was a real miracle that on that day he escaped from the doom intended for him.”
Cornelius de Witt narrowly avoided being killed by the mob earlier, which was almost miraculous.
Refers to an earlier incident when Cornelius refused to sign the act restoring the Stadtholderate and faced death threats.
“The Grand Pensionary bowed before the will of his fellow citizens; Cornelius de Witt, however, was more obstinate...”
John de Witt yielded to public pressure, but Cornelius resisted until force compelled him.
Highlights the contrasting responses of the two brothers to the political demands of the Orangist faction.