Life and Death of John of Barneveld, Advocate of Holland : with a view of the primary causes and movements of the Thirty Years' War, 1610a

"The Life and Death of John of Barneveld, Advocate of Holland: with a view of the primary causes and movements of the Thirty Years' War" by John Lothrop Motley is a history book that tells the story of John of Barneveld, an important person in the Dutch Republic, and his influence in the fight for Dutch independence. The book paints a vivid picture of a politically unstable time, revealing Barneveld’s goals and the secret plots surrounding him. The story looks at his connections with leaders of the time, like Henry IV of France, and the tricky negotiations with Spain and other Protestant groups in Europe. It also covers the reasons behind what happened during the Thirty Years' War, showing Barneveld as a complicated man stuck between the desires of his country and the manipulations of powerful kings, which eventually led to his execution, highlighting the dangers when involved in politics during a time of war and secrets.