A Miracle Mirrored The Dutch Republic in European Perspective

A comparative study of the Netherlands from the late sixteenth to the mid-nineteenth century.

In the celebrated words of Sir William Temple, the Dutch Republic of the United Provinces was 'the fear of some, the envy of others, and the wonder of all their neighbours'. This 1996 book looks at the history of the Dutch Republic from a comparative perspective, and provides a comparative study of key issues in Dutch history from the late sixteenth to the mid-nineteenth century. Contributors examine political, cultural, economic and social developments in the Netherlands in an interrelated way, and in doing so shed light on historical developments in other parts of west and central Europe. In contrast with previous comparative studies in European early modern history, this book concentrates on comparisons within the central belt of Europe running from north Italy through southern Germany, Flanders, the Dutch Republic and England. An editorial introduction and conclusion place the individual chapters within a coherent framework.

List of illustrations; List of tables; List of contributors; Preface; List of abbreviations; 1. Introduction Karel Davids and Jan Lucassen; 2. Similar problems, different outcomes: the Revolt of the Netherlands and the Wars of Religion in France Henk van Nierop; 3. The Dutch Republic: the urban impact upon politics Marjolein 't Hart; 4. Rulers, patricians and burghers: the Great and Little traditions of urban revolt in the Low Countries Marc Boone and Maarten Prak; 5. The political culture of Germany and the Dutch Republic: similar roots, different results Olaf Mörke; 6. Britain and the Dutch Republic William Speck; 7. Church, state and people Wiebe Bergsma; 8. Literacy, trade and religion in the commercial centres of Europe Margaret Spufford; 9. Art and commerce in the Dutch Republic Michael North; 10. Access to credit and capital in the commercial centres of Europe Peter Spufford; 11. Shifts of technological leadership in early modern Europe Karel Davids; 12. Labour and early modern economic development Jan Lucassen; 13. Early modern economic growth and the standard of living: did labour benefit from Holland's Golden Age? Leo Noordegraaf and Jan Luiten van Zanden; 14. Conclusion Karel Davids and Jan Lucassen; Bibliography; Indices.

This 1996 book looks at the history of the Dutch Republic from a comparative perspective, provides a comparative study of Dutch history from the late sixteenth to the mid-nineteenth century, and analyses key problems in the political, cultural and economic history of the Netherlands.