Afschrift van het verzoek van ds. Abraham van de Velde aan prins Willem III om na zijn verbanning weer in Utrecht te mogen preken met de toestemming daartoe, 1675 1675 - 1749

This is a 1675 manuscript titled *Afschrift van het verzoek van ds. Abraham van de Velde aan prins Willem III om na zijn verbanning weer in Utrecht te mogen preken met de toestemming daartoe*, meaning a copy of the request of Reverend Abraham van de Velde to Prince William III to be allowed to preach in Utrecht again after his banishment, with the permission to do so. In the 17th century, the Dutch Republic was shaped by religious and political tensions. Abraham van de Velde, a clergyman, found himself caught in these conflicts, leading to his banishment from Utrecht. This document reveals the personal and political dimensions of religious persecution, as van de Velde seeks reinstatement through an appeal to Prince William III. It is a negotiation of identity and power. Van de Velde’s appeal underscores the influence of figures like Prince William in mediating religious freedom. It highlights the precarious position of religious figures who depended on political favor. The emotional weight of van de Velde's plea, combined with the formal language, captures the tension between personal conviction and political necessity. This manuscript serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for religious freedom, reflecting both the societal constraints and the individual acts of resistance that define such moments.