engleski

Tolerance on trial. The show trial against Land's Advocate Johan van Oldenbarnevelt (The Dutch Republic 1618-1619)

In the morning of 13 May 1619 the 71 year old Land's Advocat Johan van Oldenbarnevelt leaning heavily on his cane slowly ascended the staircase of a wooden scaffold that had been hastely erected next to entrance of the Ridderzaal in the Hague – the political heart of the Dutch Republic. Bystanders nearby could hear his sarcastic remark "What a beautiful reward for 40 years of loyal service". After reaching the top of the stairs Van Oldenbarnevelt turned towards a quiet crowd of some 3000 spectators and said in a loud voice "Men, do not believe that I am a traitor to our country. I have acted truly and faithfully as a good patriot and that's the way I will die ". He then pulled his nightcap over his eyes, kneeled down with his back towards the executioner and mumbled "make it quick, make it quick". One blow of the executioner's sword ended the life of one the most exemplary Dutch statesmen and founding fathers of the United Provinces. Four hundred years later Van Oldenbarnevelt’s case still remains a matter of public concern: did the Land’s Advocate receive a fair trial or had the death sentence already been decided? This question has never received an unequivocal answer.

Low Countries ; Dutch Republic ; Holland ; Land's Advocate ; Criminal proceedings ; 1619

https://www.info.hazu.hr/events/znanstveni-skup-petar-zrinski-i-fran-krsto-frankopan-u-hrvatskoj-i-europskoj-povijesti-u-povodu-350-obljetnice-kaznenog-postupka/