Life and Death of John of Barneveld, Advocate of Holland : with a view of the primary causes and movements of the Thirty Years' War — Complete (1609-15)

"The Life and Death of John of Barneveld, Advocate of Holland" by John Lothrop Motley, is a 19th-century historical book that explores the life of John of Barneveld, a critical person in the creation of the Dutch Republic, during a really unstable and crucial time in history known as the Thirty Years' War. The author starts by describing the complicated political situation in Europe when Barneveld was alive, highlighting the importance of a temporary peace agreement with Spain and its effects on the Dutch Republic. The beginning part introduces Barneveld as a strong leader whose role influenced how the Netherlands was governed, in the middle of religious problems and stress from other countries like Spain, and it sketches important past events, such as Barneveld's actions during the war to become independent. He highlights Barneveld's relationships with important leaders, and also the fights happening inside the Dutch Republic, setting the scene for a more detailed look at Barneveld's career and what eventually happened to him.