A fearful gentleman

Sir George Downing first served under the Protectorate of Oliver Cromwell as diplomat in the Dutch Republic. Following the Restoration of Charles II in 1660 he transferred his allegiance to the new regime and was re-appointed to the post in The Hague. This period was characterized by fierce trade rivalry, which formed the background to the mid-century Anglo-Dutch wars. His defence of English commercial interests against the Dutch was crucial to his development as one of England's leading mercantilists. A fearful gentleman shows that both extremes of Downing's reputation stem from his experience and activities in the Republic: the odium resulting from his rounding up and delivery to their deaths of the new King's former enemies, and acknowledgement of Downing's role as administrator and reformer of English public finance, based on his observation of the more sophisticated Dutch system.

An e-book version of this book is available, ISBN 9789087043315.    

''It is a well-researched narrative, which addresses both Downing's own activities and the wider context of the fractious Anglo-Duch relationship, against the background of the three Anglo-Dutch Wars. It is nicely written, with an easy-to-follow chronology and handles the source material well.' Esther Mijers in: De Zeventiende Eeuw 29 (2013) 1, p. 124

'De grondige kennis van de auteurs en de beheersing van de materie zorgt ervoor dat het boek een mooie rondleiding geeft door de Nederlands-Engelse relaties, en laat zien hoe een vroegmoderne diplomaat functioneerde in het complexe krachtenspel van binnenlandse verhoudingen en internationale ontwikkelingen. Toch blijft uiteindelijk onduidelijk wat de conclusie van het boek is. [...] daar is een politieke biografie wellicht ook niet de plaats voor, maar Rommelse is inmiddels bij uitstek de aangewezen persoon om deze discussie verder te brengen [...].' David Onnekink in: Tijdschrift voor Geschiedenis 125 (2012) 4, p. 596-597

Verder gesignaleerd in: BMGN 127 (2012) 4, p. 83-99; Historisch Nieuwsblad 22 (2013) 9, p. 38.