Dutch Declaration of Independence (1581)
About the Author
The Dutch Declaration of Independence was drafted by a committee of four men; details of their lives are sketchy. Andries Hessels held the position of greffier, or secretary, of Brabant. Jacques Tayaert was a pensionary, or chief functionary and legal adviser, in the city of Ghent. Jacob Valcke held the same position in the city of Ter Goes, now called Goes. Finally, Pieter van Dieven was pensionary of the city of Mechelen. A fifth name is often mentioned, that of Jan de Asseliers, the audiencer of the States-General (the official charged with drafting its declarations), who may have physically written out the declaration and may have composed the preamble. His name appears at the very end of the document as a signer.
Although he was not strictly speaking an author of the declaration, William I of Orange, often called William the Silent, reputedly for his circumspection in negotiations with the king of France, was the leader of the Dutch Revolt and thus can...
