People of the Republic

The Dutch society of 17th century was very complex, but stimulated many people to great achievements in politics, trade, explorations, conquests and battles on land and sea, but also in the field of science, literature and art.

People of the Republic. The Dutch society in the golden age was extremely complex. The government alone consisted of many levels all often with conflicting interests (cities with Regenten (nobel men and high society), states or provices, national government (Staten-Generaal) chaired by the Raadspensioenaris (sort of Minister President) and the Stadhouder (members of the House of Orange). If this was not all, during the golden age, centers of power shifted constantly. During one period the Stadhouders were in power, in other periods it were the Raadspensioenaris of groups of Regenten.