Bericht van het overlijden van koning Willem II door de Staatsraad Gouverneur van de Provincie Utrecht, 1849 Possibly 1849

This is a letter, made in 1849 by an anonymous writer, announcing the death of King William II of the Netherlands. The death of a monarch is more than just a personal tragedy; it's a moment of national significance, fraught with political and social implications. Letters like this one, with its formal tone and official seal, were vital instruments in the communication network of the mid-19th century. They served not only to disseminate information, but also to project authority and maintain social order. In the Netherlands, 1848 was a year of revolutionary fervor across Europe, which put pressure on King William II to accept a more democratic constitution, making his death the following year all the more consequential. Understanding this document fully requires an awareness of the political climate of the time, as well as the institutional structures of the Dutch government. Careful examination of archival records and other historical documents is essential for understanding the role this message played during a pivotal time.