Life and Death of John of Barneveld, Advocate of Holland : with a view of the primary causes and movements of the Thirty Years' War, 1619-23

"The Life and Death of John of Barneveld, Advocate of Holland" by John Lothrop Motley is a late 19th-century historical book that vividly recounts the life, political career, and unjust execution of Dutch statesman John of Barneveld against the backdrop of the Thirty Years' War. The narrative opens with a powerful scene, setting the stage for Barneveld's execution in the Hague, filling the account with the tense emotions of the time, capturing the blend of public sentiment along with the ruthless political games of the Netherlands. As Barneveld stands on the scaffold, facing death with courage, he defends his honor and proclaims his loyalty to the state, cementing his legacy amid the political rivalries that led to his downfall.