The English Exiles in Holland during the Reigns of Charles II and James II

James Walker

doi:10.2307/3678701

The English Exiles in Holland during the Reigns of Charles II and James II

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 February 2009

James Walker

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The United Provinces in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries were the refuge of the oppressed of Western Europe. From the days of the Marian persecutions, considerable numbers of English exiles were to be found jostling one another in the busy street of Amsterdam and Rotterdam, wandering penniless along the quiet avenues of The Hague or seeking freedom in the more desolate expanses of Zealand. Reasons for the popularity of Holland as an asylum are not far to seek. In an age when religious heterodoxy was a political crime, the freedom of worship permitted in Holland was eagerly taken advantage of. The refugees went to live among a people who encouraged such immigration as a means of increasing the material prosperity of their country. English pamphleteers attributed the flourishing condition of Holland to this policy. ‘Liberty of Conscience’, wrote Sir Charles Wolseley, ‘would be a more serious blow to Holland than all the victories yet gained.’ Another writer drew attention to the part played by the refugees from the tyranny of Mary and Laud, in building up the prosperity of Amsterdam.

Type: Research Article
Information: Transactions of the Royal Historical Society , Volume 30 , December 1948 , pp. 111 - 125

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/3678701 [Opens in a new window]
Copyright: Copyright © Royal Historical Society 1948

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References

^{page 111 note 1} Liberty of Conscience the Magistrates Interest (1668), p. 9.

^{page 111 note 2} A Letter from Holland touching Liberty of Conscience (1688).

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^{page 112 note 1} State Papers Foreign, Holland, 220, pp. 16–17.

^{page 112 note 2} True Interest and Political Maxims of the Republic of Holland (1702), PP. 17, 58–66. Published in 1662, it was written by Pierre Delacourt. John De Witt had a hand in its composition (Pontalis, A. L., Jean de Witt, i. 314 ff.Google Scholar).

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^{page 112 note 5} Cf. Calamy, E., Historical Account of My Oum Life (ed. Rutt, J. T., 1829), i. 139, 142Google Scholar, etc.

^{page 112 note 6} S.P. For., Flanders, 39, p. 77.

^{page 112 note 7} Calamy, , op. cit., i. 144–5Google Scholar. Kennet, W., A Register and Chronicle, 1660–62 (1728), p. 900Google Scholar, gives a list of English clergy in Holland. See also E. Calamy, The Nonconformist's Memorial, passim; Steven, W., History of the Scottish Church, Rotterdam (1833)Google Scholar, passim.

^{page 113 note 1} S.P. For., Flanders, 54, pp. 110–18.

^{page 113 note 2} S.P. For., Spain, 72, pp. 21, 33; Historical Manuscripts Commission, Downshire MSS., i. 187.

^{page 113 note 3} Clarke, E. G., Treatise upon the Law of Extradition (4th ed.), pp. 20–3Google Scholar. Clause X of the Treaty of Westminster (1654) bound the contracting parties to banish within 28 days any rebel whose presence was objected to. This, of course, was a nullity in 1660 (Dumont, J., Corps Universal Diplomatique, vi, pt. ii. 75Google Scholar). Charles II and the Elector of Brandenburg made a similar agreement in July 1661 (ibid., p. 364).

^{page 113 note 4} Dumont, , op. cit., pp. 399–400Google Scholar.

^{page 113 note 5} Dumont, , op. cit., p. 426Google Scholar.

^{page 113 note 6} ‘In modern states … offences of a political character have always been excluded from the operation of the laws of extradition’ (Ency. Brit., 11th ed., art. ‘Extradition’). Cf. Burnet's, Gilbert remarks on the surrender of Wariston by Louis XIV (History of his own Time, ed. Airy, i. 355)Google Scholar.

^{page 114 note 1} Cal. S.P. Dom., 1660/61, pp. 450, 454; Cornbury to Downing 21 June, 19 July, 1661 (Add. MSS. 22919, fos. 151, 158). In Amsterdam the Schout was forbidden to assist the English consul (Cal. S.P. Dom., 1660/61, p. 420). In Rotterdam the authorities assisted the regicide Dendy to escape from Downing's clutches in August 1661 (ibid., 1661/2, p. 404; Lister, T. H., Life and Administration of Clarendon, iii. 151–2, 155, 169Google Scholar; Bampfield to (Bennet) 11/12 Dec., 1663, in S.P. For., Holland, 168, pp. 186–7).

^{page 114 note 2} Lister, iii. 151–2, 155, 168–9; Pontalis, i. 281–2; Wicquefort, A. de, Histoire des Provinces-Unies, iii. 77Google Scholar; Downing to Nicholas, 21 March 1662 (Egerton MS. 2538, fo. 45).

^{page 114 note 3} The Speeches, Discourses and Prayers of Col. John Barkstead, etc. (1662); Pontalis, i. 282–4; Beresford, J., The Godfather of Downing Street, Sir George Downing (1623–84), pp. 142–50Google Scholar; Downing to Nicholas, 7/21 March 1662 (Eg. MS. 2538, fos. 38, 45).

^{page 114 note 4} Pepys, S., Diary (ed. Wheatley, H. B.), ii. 190, 193Google Scholar.

^{page 114 note 5} A Memorial … to the High and Mighty Lords the States of Holland by the Foreign Anabaptist Churches (1662).

^{page 114 note 6} Dumont, vi, pt. ii. 422–6.

^{page 114 note 7} Ibid., vii, pt. i. 44–8; Letters and Negotiations of The Count D'Estrades (1711), iii. 321–4, 335–6Google Scholar.

^{page 114 note 8} Ibid., vii, pt. i. 254.

^{page 115 note 1} SirTemple, William, Works, i. 115Google Scholar.

^{page 116 note 1} SirTemple, William, Works, ii. 138–50Google Scholar; Courtenay, T. P., Life, Works and Correspondence of Temple (1836), i. 375–7Google Scholar; Pontalis, ii. 35; Ludlow, E., Memoirs (ed. Firth, J. B.) ii. 424–5Google Scholar; Bebington, T., The Right Honourable the Earl of Arlington's Letters to Sir William Temple (1701), i. 450–1Google Scholar.

^{page 116 note 2} Mackintosh Coll., Add. MSS. 34510, fos. 96–7.

^{page 116 note 3} Wallace commanded the rebels at the Battle of Pentland Hills (Veitch, W. and Brysson, G., Memoirs, pp. 352–62Google Scholar). See the D.N.B. for MacWard and Brown. Temple failed to secure MacWard's banishment in 1670 (S.P. For., Holland, 202, p. 100; Temple, , Works, ii. 133, 137Google Scholar; Veitch and Brysson, P. 363; State Correspondence between England and the Netherlands (Add. MSS. 17677 cc, p. 223).

^{page 116 note 4} 27 June, 18 Nov, 29 Dec. 1676. State Correspondence between England and the Netherlands (Add. MSS. 17677 cc, pp. 223, 316, 329).

^{page 116 note 5} S.P. For., Holland, 202, pp. 21, 39, 53, 62; For. Entry Book 66, pp. 194–5, 200, 201; Veitch and Brysson, pp. 363–4.

^{page 117 note 1} S.P. For., Holland, 202, pp. 72, 100, 102–3, 146; For. Entry Book 66, pp. 202, 203, 213–14 (the letter on p. 202 of 8 Aug. 1676 is misdated 28 Aug.) Wodrow, R., History of the Sufferings of the Church of Scotland (1721–1722), i. 434–5Google Scholar.

^{page 117 note 2} For. Entry Book 66, pp. 202, 224–5; Add. MSS. 17677 cc, p. 316.

^{page 117 note 3} S.P. For., Holland, 203, pp. 130, 149, 172, 211; For. Entry Book 66, P. 233.

^{page 117 note 4} Add. MSS. 17677 cc, p. 329.

^{page 117 note 5} S.P. For., Holland, 203, pp. 32–3, 45–8, 293; Temple, , Works, iv. 289–90, 301–2, 315, 321–2, 333–4Google Scholar; Veitch and Brysson, pp. 364–70.

^{page 117 note 6} Shields, M., Faithful Contendings Displayed, p. 218Google Scholar; Veitch and Brysson, pp. 370–1, 376, 515–16; S.P. For., Entry Book 68, 24 Aug. 1680; Steven, W., Hist, of the Scottish Church, Rotterdam, pp. 36–7Google Scholar.

^{page 117 note 7} S.P. For., Holland, 169, p. 129. Richardson was one of the leaders in the Yorkshire Plot of 1663; see my article on the Yorkshire Plot in the Yorkshire Arch. Journal, xxxi. 352–3.

^{page 118 note 1} S.P. For., Holland, 168, p. 85; 169, pp. 51, 54, 57, 81, 129; Cal. S.P. Dom. 1663/4, PP. 512–13. He was not molested, however, as his confidence was gained by an intelligencer to whom he made a confession (ibid., 521, S.P. For., Holland, 170, p. 96).

^{page 118 note 2} Dover, G. J. W. A. L., The Ellis Correspondence, i. 176–7Google Scholar; Moreau Letter Book (Add. MSS. 38493, p. 31); S.P. For., France, 150, p. 173.

^{page 118 note 3} S.P. Dom., Jas. II, iii, pt. i. 57; S.P. For., France, 150, p. 178.

^{page 118 note 4} Mackintosh Coll. xxii (Add. MSS. 34508, pp. 51, 137–9); Add. MSS. 17677 hh, pp. 49, 63–4; Moreau Letter Book (Add. MSS. 38493, pp. 88–9, 103–4).

^{page 118 note 5} S.P. For., France, 150, p. 178; 151, p. 1; For. Entry Book 19, 10 Jan. 1686/7.

^{page 118 note 6} S.P. For., France, 151, pp. 46, 53; For. Entry Book 19, 7 April 1687.

^{page 118 note 7} Shaftesbury and Locke, for example, became burghers of Amsterdam (cf. Clerc, Le, Life and Character of John Locke, p. 10Google Scholar; Ferguson, J., Robert Ferguson the Plotter, p. 92Google Scholar).

^{page 118 note 8} Hatbon Correspondence, ii. 45–6; Rapin, ii. 733–4.

^{page 118 note 9} 6 Aug., 27 Dec. 1687; 13 Jan., 24 Feb. 1688.

^{page 119 note 1} Mackintosh Coll. xxiv (Add. MSS. 34510, pp. 70–1, 81, 89, 98); Add. MSS. 17677 hh, pp. 148–9; Morean Letter Book (Add. MSS. 38494, p. 12).

^{page 119 note 2} Add. MSS. 34510, pp. 81, 96–7; ibid. 38494, pp. 25.

^{page 119 note 3} Comte d'Avaux, J. A., Negotiations (1754–1755), iv. 127–9Google Scholar.

^{page 119 note 4} London Gazette, No. 2336.

^{page 119 note 5} Add. MSS. 38494, pp. 47, 51; d'Avaux, iv. 115.

^{page 119 note 6} S.P. For., Holland, 220, pp. 18–19; Add. MSS. 17677 gg, pp. 264–5, 287–8; ibid., 34512, pp. 3, 17, 22; Grey, Lord, Secret History, pp. 107–9, 120–1Google Scholar; Histoire des Evenements Tragiques d'Angleterre (1686), pp. 216–27.

^{page 120 note 1} Add. MSS. 34508, pp. 117, 126–7; ibid., 34512, pp. 28, 41–4; S.P. For., Holland, 220, pp. 16–17, 18–19; Add. MSS. 17677 gg, p. 581.

^{page 120 note 2} Ibid. 34508, pp. 50, 131.

^{page 120 note 3} Cal. S.P. Dom., 1663/4, p. 465.

^{page 120 note 4} S.P. For., German States, 86, p. 172.

^{page 120 note 5} Add. MSS. 34508, p. 127.

^{page 120 note 6} S.P. For., France, 150, p. 178.

^{page 120 note 7} S.P. For., German States, 86, pp. 172 ff.; Grey, , Secret History, pp. 68 ffGoogle Scholar.

^{page 120 note 8} H.M.C. Rep. vii, Graham MSS., p. 386.

^{page 120 note 9} Erskine, , Journal, 176Google Scholar.

^{page 120 note 10} S.P. For., Flanders, 55, p. 41.

^{page 120 note 11} Ranke, iv. 409.

^{page 121 note 1} Erskine, J., Journal, p. 204Google Scholar and passim.

^{page 121 note 2} Middlebush, F.A., Despatches of Thomas Plott, 1681–82, and Thomas Chudleigh, 1682–85, English Envoys at the Hague, pp. 243, 247Google Scholar.

^{page 121 note 3} Le Clerc, pp. 13–14.

^{page 121 note 4} Coltness Collections, p. 85.

^{page 121 note 5} S.P. For., Holland, 218, p. 216; Erskine, , Journal, pp. 163–71Google Scholar.

^{page 121 note 6} Grey, , Secret Hist., pp. 79–80Google Scholar; S.P. Dom., Car. II, p. 436, no. 54; S.P. For., German States, 86, p. 174.

^{page 121 note 7} Dunton, J., Life and Errors, i. 151Google Scholar.

^{page 121 note 8} Life and Death of Knollys, pp. 35–8.

^{page 121 note 9} Ferguson, op. cit., pp. 104–5.

^{page 122 note 1} Memoirs of George Baillie, p. 22.

^{page 122 note 2} Lady Murray's Narrative printed in Rose, G., Observations, 04 i, pp. ix–xiiGoogle Scholar.

^{page 122 note 3} Ferguson, , op. cit., pp. 104–5Google Scholar.

^{page 122 note 4} Memoirs of Baillie, pp. 21–2.

^{page 122 note 5} Veitch and Brysson, pp. 151–4; Willcock, J., A Scots Earl, pp. 321–33Google Scholar.

^{page 122 note 6} Cal. S. P. Dom., 1661/2, pp. 97–8; S.P. Dom., Car. II, 93, no. 88; 98, no. 96; 101, no. 102. Knowles was arrested in 1664 and not released until April 1667 (Add. MSS. 37820, fo. 140).

^{page 122 note 7} Foxcroft, H. C., Supplement, p. 90Google Scholar.

^{page 122 note 8} ‘Wade's Confession’, Harl. MS. 6845, fos. 266–72.

^{page 122 note 9} Lansdowne MS. 1152 A, fo. 280.

^{page 122 note 10} S.P. For., Holland, 220, p. 14; H.M.C., Downshire MSS., i. 188.

^{page 123 note 1} Rogers, H., Life and Character of Howe, pp. 335–56Google Scholar.

^{page 123 note 2} Erskine, , Journal, p. 80Google Scholar.

^{page 123 note 3} Coltness Coll., p. 84–4.

^{page 123 note 4} Le Clerc, p. 14; Bastide, C., John Locke, p. 84Google Scholar; Bourne, H. R. Fox, Life of Locke, ii, 58–9Google Scholar; Cal. S.P. Dom., 1666/7, pp. 118, 125; S.P. For., Holland, 186, p. 77.

^{page 123 note 5} Coltness Coll., p.84. An English republican colony was said to exist in Rotterdam in 1682 (True Prot. Mercury, no. 22; Loyal Prot. and True Dom. Intell., no. 212).

^{page 123 note 6} Steven, , Hist. of the Scottish Church, Rotterdam, pp. 33–5Google Scholar.

^{page 123 note 7} Add. MSS. 34512, p. 22.

^{page 123 note 8} Ibid. 37981, fos. 1–4.

^{page 124 note 1} Add. MSS. 37981, fos. 57–8; S.P. For., Holland, 215, p. 234; S.P. Dom., Car. II, 433, no. 39.

^{page 124 note 2} Add. MSS. 37981, fo. 6.

^{page 124 note 3} Ibid., fo. 2; S.P. For., Entry Book 68, 31 Aug. 1680; S.P. For., Holland, 186, p. 77.

^{page 124 note 4} Twyn, John, the printer of Mene Tekel, was caught red handed by L' Estrange in 10 1663Google Scholar: see my article on the Yorkshire Plot, 1663, in the Yorks. Arch. Journal, xxxi. 354.

^{page 124 note 5} S.P. For., Holland, 174, pp. 50–1, 77.

^{page 124 note 6} S.P. Dom., Car. II, no. 50.

^{page 124 note 7} Cal. S.P. Dom., 1667/8, p. 282; S.P. For., Holland, 182, p. 18; Add. MSs. 35852, fos. 94–5; Sidney, Henry, Diary, i. 61Google Scholar.

^{page 124 note 8} Kitchin, G., Sir R. L'Estrange, p. 162Google Scholar; Cal. S.P. Dom., 1671/2, pp. 314–15; 1672, pp. 288–9; 1673, pp. 74, 106, 134, etc.

^{page 124 note 9} Ibid., 1672/3, p. 595; S.P. Dom., Car. II, p. 431, nos. 43, 53, 54; State Trials, ix. 383; Middlebush, p. 231.

^{page 124 note 10} Add. MSS. 35852, fo. 159.

^{page 124 note 11} Rothe, , a naturalized Englishman of Utrecht, , was knighted in 1660 (Commons Journals, viii. 33Google Scholar; Shaw, W. A., Knights of England, ii. 231Google Scholar).

^{page 125 note 1} S.P. For., Holland, 203, pp. 229, 232.

^{page 125 note 2} Sprat, T., Copies of the Informations, p. 181Google Scholar.

^{page 125 note 3} S.P. Dom., Car. II, 428, p. 47, no. 60.

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The English Exiles in Holland during the Reigns of Charles II and James II

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