100 things challenge - 42: Dutch monarchy I

[birdienl]

As you might have heard, last week, our current queen, Queen Beatrix, has announced she will abdicate the throne after 33 years and her son Willem-Alexander will become our King. So, I thought to devote the next two 100 things posts to the Dutch monarchy! Hope you all think them interesting!

The Netherlands has been a monarchy for a relatively short time, compared to other European countries. The country became a kingdom in 1813, as part of the rearrangements of Europe after the Congress of Vienna (a conference of state leaders to discuss the many issues arising from the Napoleontic Wars). The kingdom of The Netherlands was then larger than we know it now and also included the current countries of Belgium and Luxemburg. 

The first Dutch monarch, William I, had lived 18 years in exile in England because of the invasion of the French Revolutionary Army in The Netherlands. After Napoleon's defeat, William returned to The Netherlands, and was gladly welcomed by the Dutch provisional government, who offered him the title of King. Now, even before that, William was not just somebody. He was the son of the last Dutch 'stadtholder', a hereditary office of high influence in the pre-French state of The Netherlands. William also already was a Prince, as his family, the House of Orange-Nassau, owned a principality in France. 

 

Also, the new issue of Femnista is out! The theme this time is 'Memorable love stories' and you can read the issue online here. You can read articles about for example Lancelot and Guinevere, Luke and Leia or my article about Bathseba Everdene and Gabriel Oak from Thomas Hardy's novel Far from the Madding Crowd!

Comments

[msantimacassar.livejournal.com]

I look forward to the rest of your series! :)

[birdienl.livejournal.com]

Aw, thank you!

[ever-maedhros.livejournal.com]

Ooo, the Dutch monarchy sounds VERY interesting. (The mention of Orange immediately gave me G. A. Henty flashbacks. :D)

And, awwww! That is one adorable magazine cover! The Ponds never fail to endear.

[birdienl.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I don't think we're quite as interesting as the British monarchy, with their looooong history, but we've got quite some interesting stories to tell about those 200 years of monarchs!

I don't know G.A. Henty, what does he have to do with Orange?

[ever-maedhros.livejournal.com]

I don't think we're quite as interesting as the British monarchy, with their looooong history, but we've got quite some interesting stories to tell about those 200 years of monarchs!

I'm sure! I look forward to hearing your take on the matter. :)

G. A. Henty was a Victorian British author. He wrote many books about fictional young men in interesting historical times. One of his books, By Pike and Dyke, was set during the time of William I. I really liked it, though it's been a long time since I read it. (I had to check both the book and Wikipedia to make sure I wasn't thinking of the wrong William.)

[birdienl.livejournal.com]

Ah, I looked it up and it's apparently set during the 16th century, so it ís a different William, but a far ancestor of the first King William. He was the leader of the Dutch resistance against the Spanish during the so-called 80-year war.

[ever-maedhros.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes, you're right. Both Williams had I at the end of their names--confusing. (Though, if I'd read the book recently, I'm sure I would've have seen my mistake and realized they were from different periods.)

[lunalove24.livejournal.com]

Very interesting! I hadn't heard about your Queen abdicating, but then again I've been in Brugge on holiday.

Looking forward to the next post.

Cheers

P.S.: Yes, that is a VERY young monarchy...coming from someone in the oldest one in Europe! ;)

[birdienl.livejournal.com]

Ah, Brugge! Was it your first time there? And was it as nice as everyone says? I'm thinking about going there for a long weekend this spring.

[lunalove24.livejournal.com]

Yes, it was my first visit. And I absolutely LOVED it! I did not want to go back home. But I think it'll be very crowded 'in season'. There were quite a lot of tourists already, but not so many that it was annoying. We didn't have to wait in line anywhere, but 3.5 million people visit each year, so I imagine that it's horrible during late spring/summer!
But the city is AMAZING! And soooo many chocolate shops! :)

[birdienl.livejournal.com]

Then I better quickly get planning! I once was in Prague during late summer and the crowds were really annoying, couldn't take any picture of the beautiful sights without heaps of people standing before me....

[mystery-spell.livejournal.com]

That's something that I did not know about the Dutch monarchy. Thanks for the information; it's always nice to learn something new.

[birdienl.livejournal.com]

Glad you enjoy reading it! I alway like spreading a bit of information about our little country which is not so well known!

[rissi jc (from livejournal.com)]

Loved your article. :)

This issue was so fabulous. The diverse topics made it really interesting and I loved that.

[birdienl.livejournal.com]

Ah thank you very much!
I must admit I haven't read the Femnista yet, haven't had the time yet....