Crucial years in Anglo-Dutch relations (1625-1642)

This book analyses the relations between the young Dutch Republic and the England of King Charles I, in particular during the earlier years of his reign (1625-1629) and the period of his personal rule (1629-1640), as perceived and interpreted by both sides. The Republic had gradually developed into an independent state with an increasing self-confidence. Nevertheless, in those years the Republic still needed foreign support against Spain, particularly from England and France. At the same time however, the Dutch were fully aware that the monarchs of both countries were primarily supporting their own policies and only provided support when it served their own interests. Anton Poot shows that their dependence on foreign political vicissitudes necessitated the Dutch to find their own ways. Their successes against Spain also provided more and more resolve and form: by 1640 this was clearly demonstrated by the Republic's relations with England.    

'Met oog voor detail beschrijft Poot de verhoudingen tussen de twee staten die dramatisch aan het verschuiven was: de Republiek was een opkomende staat die het Spaanse Rijk op de knieën dwong terwijl de Engelse monarchie juist afgleed in een burgeroorlog. In chronologische lijn reconstrueert de auteur de complexe diplomatieke en dynastieke betrekkingen in grondig onderzochte hoofdstukken. Het bronmateriaal is afkomstig uit zowel Engelse als Nederlandse archieven, zodat Poot een evenwichtig beeld weet te schetsen van de ontwikkelingen.' David Onnekink in: De Zeventiende Eeuw 30 (2014) 2, p. 291 - Signalement

'This book is an important contribution to our understanding of the diplomatic relations of the early to mid-seventeenth-century period. Altough attractive as it is for scholars, it lacks some contextual information on events and historical actors that would make it appeal to a larger audience. Poot provided appendice but fails to introduce them and explain why they were chosen.' Marc Wiesmann in: Sixteenth Century Journal XLV (2014) 3, p. 779-781

'Although the author has consulted archival sources and literature from both sides of the North Sea, the book provides a predominantly English perspective on Anglo-Dutch relations. Poot exmplains how Charles perceived these and why he believed he was entitled to meddle in Dutch politics, but offers little insight from a Dutch perspective.' Gijs Rommelse in: BMGN Low Countries Historical Review 129 (2014) 3, review 41

'De grote waarde van deze studie ligt [...] vooral in de gedetailleerde beschrijvingen en uiteenzettingen. Daarin worden, vaak op boeiende wijze, de verschillende fasen van het politieke en diplomatieke proces behandeld, dat de Anglo-Nederlandse relaties grondig veranderde.' Hans C. Vrielink op: www.historischhuis.nl/recensiebank 01-02-2014.