After the end of the Habsburg reign and the horrors of the Spanish Inquisition, the Dutch republic became known for its tolerant atmosphere. Many religious and philosophical publications that were too controversial to be published in their home countries were printed in the Netherlands, a number under the fictitious publisher’s name “Pierre Marteau.”

The main political conflict during the seventeenth century was between the “States” faction, supported by the wealthy merchant class, and the “Orangists,” who backed the House of Orange. This ended with the death of the brothers de Witt, leaders of the “States” faction, who were lynched by an Orangist mob.

The rapidly increasing wealth of the republic led to speculative bubbles, the most famous of which was the “Tulip Fever” of the 1630s. At the height of this short-lived boom, tulip bulbs were traded at astronomical prices, some for more than the price of several houses.  

History of the brothers de Witt, leaders of the Dutch republic during the Golden Age

Emanuel van der Hoeven (1660-1727). Leeven en dood der doorlugtige heeren gebroeders Cornelis de Witt, en Johan de Witt. Amsterdam: J. ten Hoorn, 1705

Cornelis de Witt (1623-72). Historisch verhael en politique bedeckingen aengaende de bestieringe van staet-en oorloghs-saken, voor-gevallen onder de bedieningen van de Heeren Cornelis en Johan de Witt. Amsterdam: J. H. B., 1677

De drie t'zamenspraeken tusschen Waermondt en Gaergoedt, over de op- en ondergang van Flora als mede Floraes zotte-bollen, Troost-brief, en een register der tegenwoordige meest geachte hyacinten, met der zelver prysen: Verciert met een curieuse prent. Haarlem: J. Marshoorn, 1734

An allegorical history of “Tulipmania”, the tulip trade speculation bubble that swept seventeenth-century Holland

Afbeeldinge van de verscheyde vergrootinge van Amsterdam met der zelver voornaamste gebouwen etc. Representation de plusieurs agrandissemens d'Amsterdam et de ses principaux bastimens. Amsterdam: 1665

An overview of Amsterdam and its most important buildings;
shown: illustration of the Jewish synagogue

Pieter Corneliszoon Hooft (1581-1647). Nederlandsche historien, seedert de ooverdraght der heerschappye van Kaizar Kaarel de Vyfden op Kooning Philips zynen zoon, tot de doodt des Prinsen van Oranje. Amsterdam: J. van Someren, 1677

A history of the Netherlands from the abdication of Charles V to the death of William of Orange by a Dutch playwright and historian