The Légion Hollandaise d’Orange. Dynastic Networks, Coalition Warfare and the Formation of the Modern Netherlands, 1813-14

TY - JOUR

T1 - The Légion Hollandaise d’Orange. Dynastic Networks, Coalition Warfare and the Formation of the Modern Netherlands, 1813-14

AU - Hay, Mark Edward

PY - 2015/3

Y1 - 2015/3

N2 - Despite that the bicentenary commemoration of the historical events of 1812-1815 has shifted historical attention onto the Napoleonic era, the understanding of this period of Dutch history has evolved only little. The perception remains that the Dutch and the House of Orange did little to shake off the French yoke or to take their destiny into their own hands. This article challenges this perception. Through drawing on its patronage network and its political and dynastic ties I contend that Orange established itself as a rallying point for Dutchmen. This pivotal position in Dutch affairs allowed Orange to raise a military force, with which it participated in the liberation of the Netherlands, and it got Orange accepted into the Sixth Coalition. And as a member of the coalition that overthrew Napoleon, Orange, and by extension the Netherlands, could claim it postion amongst the victors of the Napoleonic Wars, rather than being considered conquered territory.

AB - Despite that the bicentenary commemoration of the historical events of 1812-1815 has shifted historical attention onto the Napoleonic era, the understanding of this period of Dutch history has evolved only little. The perception remains that the Dutch and the House of Orange did little to shake off the French yoke or to take their destiny into their own hands. This article challenges this perception. Through drawing on its patronage network and its political and dynastic ties I contend that Orange established itself as a rallying point for Dutchmen. This pivotal position in Dutch affairs allowed Orange to raise a military force, with which it participated in the liberation of the Netherlands, and it got Orange accepted into the Sixth Coalition. And as a member of the coalition that overthrew Napoleon, Orange, and by extension the Netherlands, could claim it postion amongst the victors of the Napoleonic Wars, rather than being considered conquered territory.

KW - Napoleonic Wars

KW - War fo the Sixth Coalition

KW - The Netherlands

U2 - 10.1179/0309656414Z.00000000066

DO - 10.1179/0309656414Z.00000000066

M3 - Article

SN - 0309-6564

VL - 39

SP - 26

EP - 53

JO - Dutch Crossing. A Journal of Low Countries Studies

JF - Dutch Crossing. A Journal of Low Countries Studies

IS - 1

ER -