Namenlijst van officieren die de kist van wijlen koning Willem II op de begrafenis zullen dragen, 1849 Possibly 1849

This is a list made in 1849, naming the officers who would carry the coffin of the late King Willem II at his funeral. In the 19th century, the Dutch monarchy sought to project an image of power and tradition. The King's funeral was a spectacle designed to solidify national identity and affirm the monarchy's place at the apex of society. This list, penned with careful script, is not merely a record; it is a document of social hierarchy. It underscores how military service was intertwined with class and status, with specific roles assigned to officers whose names resonate with the established order. Consider the weight of the coffin these men were to bear, not just physically, but symbolically. They were upholding the legacy of a king, a nation, and a set of values. This list prompts us to reflect on who is chosen to represent history, and whose stories remain unwritten.