Transcriptie van een toelichting bij de prenten van optocht van de schutters langs de Haarlemmertrekvaart bij de intocht van koningin Henrietta Maria te Amsterdam, 1642 1875 - 1899

This is a handwritten transcript, created anonymously, detailing the procession of civic guards along the Haarlemmertrekvaart canal during Queen Henrietta Maria's entrance into Amsterdam in 1642. The document provides a fascinating glimpse into the social and political life of the Dutch Golden Age. Amsterdam, a major center of trade and culture, was also deeply invested in civic pride and military strength. The Schutters, or civic guard, were citizen soldiers drawn from the middle class, embodying values of community and defense. Their elaborate parades, like the one described here, were carefully staged displays of power, intended to impress both local residents and visiting dignitaries. The procession highlights the complex relationship between the Dutch Republic and foreign powers. Henrietta Maria, as the wife of King Charles I of England, represented a valuable political alliance. The welcome she received was a calculated performance of hospitality, designed to bolster Amsterdam's international standing. Studying sources like this offers us insight into the ways in which public events were orchestrated to convey specific messages about national identity, social order, and political ambition.