Pieter de Groot
Encyclopedia
Pieter de Groot was a Dutch
regent
and diplomat
during the First Stadtholderless Period
of the Dutch Republic
. He led the Dutch delegation that vainly tried to negotiate the Dutch capitulation to king Louis XIV of France
during the Year of Disaster
, 1672.
, the second son of Hugo de Groot
and Maria van Reigersbergen. After his father's celebrated escape from Loevestein
castle in 1621, he followed his parents into exile in Paris
. Because of this Loevestein-connection (the name of the state prison was also used as an epithet by his Orangist
opponents) it was later said of him that he was un oeuf pourri, couvé a Louvestein and he indeed suffered from a weak constitution all his life. His father personally schooled him, and took care of a broad education. He studied law at Leiden University
.
He was twice married, first on October 6, 1652 at The Hague
to Agatha van Rijn, and after her death in 1673, on July 11, 1675 at Rijswijk
to his niece Alida de Groot.
appointed him his ambassador to the States-General of the Netherlands
in 1649. He remained in this post till 1660.
In that year he was appointed Pensionary
of the city of Amsterdam
. As such he was a staunch adherent of the States-Party faction of Grand Pensionary
Johan de Wit. When he was ejected from that post as a consequence of the political upheavals that brought the Valckenier-faction to power in 1668, De Witt saw to it that he was appointed Dutch ambassador to Sweden. Two years later he became Dutch ambassador to France. He remained in that post during the difficult years leading up to the start of the Franco-Dutch War
in 1672. He warned of the French war preparations, but was ignored by the Dutch government.
in 1670. He now took up that function and represented his city in the States of Holland
and the States-General. The latter body decided to use his expertise in diplomacy with the French court after the French armies under the personal command of king Louis XIV had made a whirlwind advance into Dutch territory, and captured the important city of Utrecht
. It was felt that the defense of the Republic was about to collapse, and that the only way to avoid an unconditional surrender was to offer Louis the Generality Lands
and a large war indemnity. De Groot was sent to Louis' headquarters at Utrecht with this offer on June 26, 1672. However, Louis demanded additional concessions, like the cession of the Nijmegen quarter of the province of Gelderland
, and public toleration of Catholic worship throughout the Republic.
The news of these negotiations caused a public outcry. The citizenry of the major Dutch cities now revolted against the De Witt regime (De Witt himself was severely wounded in an assassination attempt around this time, and could no longer take part in the government). One of the cities where the government was overthrown was Rotterdam. The Rotterdam vroedschap
was forced at gunpoint by the city militia to swear that they would not give up the city to the French (as their Utrecht colleagues had done a few days before), without the consent of the citizenry. After the abortive negotiations De Groot and five of his colleagues in the city government were denounced as traitors by the Mob. The city militia closed the gates to a force of cavalry, sent by the States of Holland to restore order. The house of two burgomasters were sacked by the Mob. De Groot was personally threatened and had to move about under militia escort. He fled to Antwerp later in July. His post as Pensionary was taken over by the Orangist Johan Kievit
who would shortly play a leading role in the lynching of the De Witt brothers.
William III
De Groot could not resist interfering with diplomatic developments. He traveled to Cologne
(by way of Liege and Aachen
) where he offered his valuable services to the Dutch diplomats negotiating peace with the Elector in 1673.
In 1674 he was allowed to return to the Republic, only to be drawn into the scandal around Abraham de Wicquefort. That diplomat of Dutch descent, but with French connections, was accused and convicted of high treason in 1675. Unfortunately, De Groot had extensively corresponded with him, and his letters were considered highly compromising. De Groot, too, was therefore accused of high treason and court-martialed in 1674. He was acquitted on December 7, 1676 thanks to the able defense provided by his attorney Simon van Poelgeest.
The trial undermined his already weak health. He retired to his estate of Boekenrode, near Haarlem
, where he spent his last years writing poetry. He died there, worn out, in June, 1678.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
regent
Regenten
In the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, the regenten were the rulers of the Dutch Republic, the leaders of the Dutch cities or the heads of organisations . Though not formally a hereditary "class", they were de facto "patricians", comparable to that ancient Roman class...
and diplomat
Diplomat
A diplomat is a person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy with another state or international organization. The main functions of diplomats revolve around the representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state, as well as the promotion of information and...
during the First Stadtholderless Period
First Stadtholderless Period
The First Stadtholderless Period or Era is the period in the history of the Dutch Republic in which the office of a Stadtholder was absent in five of the seven Dutch provinces...
of the Dutch Republic
Dutch Republic
The Dutch Republic — officially known as the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands , the Republic of the United Netherlands, or the Republic of the Seven United Provinces — was a republic in Europe existing from 1581 to 1795, preceding the Batavian Republic and ultimately...
. He led the Dutch delegation that vainly tried to negotiate the Dutch capitulation to king Louis XIV of France
Louis XIV of France
Louis XIV , known as Louis the Great or the Sun King , was a Bourbon monarch who ruled as King of France and Navarre. His reign, from 1643 to his death in 1715, began at the age of four and lasted seventy-two years, three months, and eighteen days...
during the Year of Disaster
Rampjaar
The rampjaar was the year 1672 in Dutch history. In that year,the Republic of the Seven United Provinces was after the outbreak of the Franco-Dutch War and the Third Anglo-Dutch War attacked by England, France, and the prince-electors Bernhard von Galen, bishop of Münster and Maximilian Henry of...
, 1672.
Family life
Pieter de Groot was born in RotterdamRotterdam
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world. Starting as a dam on the Rotte river, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre...
, the second son of Hugo de Groot
Hugo Grotius
Hugo Grotius , also known as Huig de Groot, Hugo Grocio or Hugo de Groot, was a jurist in the Dutch Republic. With Francisco de Vitoria and Alberico Gentili he laid the foundations for international law, based on natural law...
and Maria van Reigersbergen. After his father's celebrated escape from Loevestein
Loevestein
Castle Loevestein is a medieval castle built by the knight Dirc Loef van Horne between 1357 and 1397....
castle in 1621, he followed his parents into exile in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. Because of this Loevestein-connection (the name of the state prison was also used as an epithet by his Orangist
Orangism (Netherlands)
Orangism is a monarchist political support for the House of Orange-Nassau as monarchy of the Netherlands. It played a significant role in the political history of the Netherlands since the Dutch revolt...
opponents) it was later said of him that he was un oeuf pourri, couvé a Louvestein and he indeed suffered from a weak constitution all his life. His father personally schooled him, and took care of a broad education. He studied law at Leiden University
Leiden University
Leiden University , located in the city of Leiden, is the oldest university in the Netherlands. The university was founded in 1575 by William, Prince of Orange, leader of the Dutch Revolt in the Eighty Years' War. The royal Dutch House of Orange-Nassau and Leiden University still have a close...
.
He was twice married, first on October 6, 1652 at The Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
to Agatha van Rijn, and after her death in 1673, on July 11, 1675 at Rijswijk
Rijswijk
Rijswijk is a town and municipality in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland. It is a suburb of The Hague and covers an area of 14.48 km² ....
to his niece Alida de Groot.
Career
After having spent a year assisting his father at the Swedish legation in Paris in 1637 he returned to the Netherlands and practiced law till Charles I Louis, Elector PalatineCharles I Louis, Elector Palatine
Charles Louis, , Elector Palatine KG was the second son of Frederick V of the Palatinate, the "Winter King" of Bohemia, and his wife, Princess Elizabeth, daughter of King James I of England ....
appointed him his ambassador to the States-General of the Netherlands
States-General of the Netherlands
The States-General of the Netherlands is the bicameral legislature of the Netherlands, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The parliament meets in at the Binnenhof in The Hague. The archaic Dutch word "staten" originally related to the feudal classes in which medieval...
in 1649. He remained in this post till 1660.
In that year he was appointed Pensionary
Pensionary
A pensionary was a name given to the leading functionary and legal adviser of the principal town corporations in the Netherlands because they received a salary, or pension.-Historical development:...
of the city of Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
. As such he was a staunch adherent of the States-Party faction of Grand Pensionary
Grand Pensionary
The Grand Pensionary was the most important Dutch official during the time of the United Provinces. In theory he was only a civil servant of the Estates of the dominant province among the Seven United Provinces: the county of Holland...
Johan de Wit. When he was ejected from that post as a consequence of the political upheavals that brought the Valckenier-faction to power in 1668, De Witt saw to it that he was appointed Dutch ambassador to Sweden. Two years later he became Dutch ambassador to France. He remained in that post during the difficult years leading up to the start of the Franco-Dutch War
Franco-Dutch War
The Franco-Dutch War, often called simply the Dutch War was a war fought by France, Sweden, the Bishopric of Münster, the Archbishopric of Cologne and England against the United Netherlands, which were later joined by the Austrian Habsburg lands, Brandenburg and Spain to form a quadruple alliance...
in 1672. He warned of the French war preparations, but was ignored by the Dutch government.
Capitulation negotiations
De Groot had been appointed Pensionary of his native city of RotterdamRotterdam
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world. Starting as a dam on the Rotte river, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre...
in 1670. He now took up that function and represented his city in the States of Holland
States of Holland
The States of Holland and West Frisia were the representation of the two Estates to the court of the Count of Holland...
and the States-General. The latter body decided to use his expertise in diplomacy with the French court after the French armies under the personal command of king Louis XIV had made a whirlwind advance into Dutch territory, and captured the important city of Utrecht
Utrecht (city)
Utrecht city and municipality is the capital and most populous city of the Dutch province of Utrecht. It is located in the eastern corner of the Randstad conurbation, and is the fourth largest city of the Netherlands with a population of 312,634 on 1 Jan 2011.Utrecht's ancient city centre features...
. It was felt that the defense of the Republic was about to collapse, and that the only way to avoid an unconditional surrender was to offer Louis the Generality Lands
Generality Lands
The Generality Lands, Lands of the Generality or Common Lands were about one fifth of the territories of the United Provinces of the Netherlands, that were directly governed by the States-General...
and a large war indemnity. De Groot was sent to Louis' headquarters at Utrecht with this offer on June 26, 1672. However, Louis demanded additional concessions, like the cession of the Nijmegen quarter of the province of Gelderland
Gelderland
Gelderland is the largest province of the Netherlands, located in the central eastern part of the country. The capital city is Arnhem. The two other major cities, Nijmegen and Apeldoorn have more inhabitants. Other major regional centers in Gelderland are Ede, Doetinchem, Zutphen, Tiel, Wijchen,...
, and public toleration of Catholic worship throughout the Republic.
The news of these negotiations caused a public outcry. The citizenry of the major Dutch cities now revolted against the De Witt regime (De Witt himself was severely wounded in an assassination attempt around this time, and could no longer take part in the government). One of the cities where the government was overthrown was Rotterdam. The Rotterdam vroedschap
Vroedschap
The vroedschap was the name for the city council in the early modern Netherlands; the member of such a council was called a vroedman, literally a "wise man"...
was forced at gunpoint by the city militia to swear that they would not give up the city to the French (as their Utrecht colleagues had done a few days before), without the consent of the citizenry. After the abortive negotiations De Groot and five of his colleagues in the city government were denounced as traitors by the Mob. The city militia closed the gates to a force of cavalry, sent by the States of Holland to restore order. The house of two burgomasters were sacked by the Mob. De Groot was personally threatened and had to move about under militia escort. He fled to Antwerp later in July. His post as Pensionary was taken over by the Orangist Johan Kievit
Johan Kievit
Johan Kievit was an Orangist Rotterdam Regent, who may have been one of the instigators of the murder of former Grand Pensionary Johan de Witt, of the Dutch Republic, and his brother Cornelis de Witt on 20 August 1672, together with his brother-in-law, Cornelis Tromp.- Early life :Johan Kievit...
who would shortly play a leading role in the lynching of the De Witt brothers.
Exile and trial
Though in exile and disgrace with the new regime of StadtholderStadtholder
A Stadtholder A Stadtholder A Stadtholder (Dutch: stadhouder [], "steward" or "lieutenant", literally place holder, holding someones place, possibly a calque of German Statthalter, French lieutenant, or Middle Latin locum tenens...
William III
William III of England
William III & II was a sovereign Prince of Orange of the House of Orange-Nassau by birth. From 1672 he governed as Stadtholder William III of Orange over Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Guelders, and Overijssel of the Dutch Republic. From 1689 he reigned as William III over England and Ireland...
De Groot could not resist interfering with diplomatic developments. He traveled to Cologne
Cologne
Cologne is Germany's fourth-largest city , and is the largest city both in the Germany Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia and within the Rhine-Ruhr Metropolitan Area, one of the major European metropolitan areas with more than ten million inhabitants.Cologne is located on both sides of the...
(by way of Liege and Aachen
Aachen
Aachen has historically been a spa town in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Aachen was a favoured residence of Charlemagne, and the place of coronation of the Kings of Germany. Geographically, Aachen is the westernmost town of Germany, located along its borders with Belgium and the Netherlands, ...
) where he offered his valuable services to the Dutch diplomats negotiating peace with the Elector in 1673.
In 1674 he was allowed to return to the Republic, only to be drawn into the scandal around Abraham de Wicquefort. That diplomat of Dutch descent, but with French connections, was accused and convicted of high treason in 1675. Unfortunately, De Groot had extensively corresponded with him, and his letters were considered highly compromising. De Groot, too, was therefore accused of high treason and court-martialed in 1674. He was acquitted on December 7, 1676 thanks to the able defense provided by his attorney Simon van Poelgeest.
The trial undermined his already weak health. He retired to his estate of Boekenrode, near Haarlem
Haarlem
Haarlem is a municipality and a city in the Netherlands. It is the capital of the province of North Holland, the northern half of Holland, which at one time was the most powerful of the seven provinces of the Dutch Republic...
, where he spent his last years writing poetry. He died there, worn out, in June, 1678.