The Black Tulip · Chapter
XI: Cornelius van Baerle’s Will explained
Cornelius van Baerle is tried for high treason based on his possession of the De Witts' correspondence with France.
What happens
Cornelius van Baerle is tried for high treason based on his possession of the De Witts' correspondence with France. He defends himself honestly, explaining his indifference to politics and his devotion to tulip cultivation. Despite his truthful testimony, the judges convict him, drawing a parallel between his gardening and political subversion. He is sentenced to death by beheading. Rosa witnesses the sentencing and faints, but she holds onto the precious Bible leaf entrusted to her by Cornelius.
Themes in this chapter
Injustice and Persecution
Van Baerle is convicted despite his truthful and innocent defense; the judges twist his love of tulips into evidence of political conspiracy.
Obsession and Ambition
Van Baerle's devotion to tulip cultivation is used against him, and the judges' reasoning shows an obsessive desire to crush any potential threat to the Stadtholder's authority.
Characters to notice
- Cornelius van Baerle
The prisoner on trial; he defends himself with honesty, explaining his love of tulips and ignorance of the parcel's contents.
- Rosa Gryphus
She slips into the door recess to witness the sentencing, sobs, and faints upon hearing the death sentence, but clutches the Bible leaf Cornelius gave her.
- Gryphus
Mentioned as being detained in bed due to fever from his broken arm; his keys are given to an assistant.
- Cornelius de Witt
The godfather of Van Baerle; his correspondence with France is the basis of the charge, and Van Baerle recounts how he received the parcel from him.
- John de Witt
His servant Craeke delivered a paper to Van Baerle before his arrest; the paper is now missing.
- Craeke
John de Witt's servant who handed a paper to Van Baerle; he has since left Holland and cannot be found.
Key passages
“Cornelius answered that it was indeed so; that, however, he never put his hand into the press but to ascertain whether his bulbs were dry, and that he never looked into it but to see if they were beginning to sprout.”
Cornelius admitted the press was used daily, but only to check on his tulip bulbs.
Van Baerle explains his only interest in the press was for his tulips, not the hidden correspondence.
“The upshot of all these reasonings was, that his Highness the Prince Stadtholder of Holland would feel infinitely obliged to the magistracy of the Hague if they simplified for him the government of the Seven Provinces by destroying even the least germ of conspiracy against his authority.”
The judges concluded that executing Van Baerle would please the Stadtholder by eliminating any potential threat.
The court's reasoning prioritizes political expediency over justice.