Koningen Hendrik III, Edward I, Edward II en Edward III 1584

Hendrick Goltzius created this print of Kings Henry III, Edward I, Edward II, and Edward III at the end of the 16th century. As we can see in this depiction of the English monarchs, Goltzius clearly places them on a platform. What does it mean to elevate these people to a God-like level? Goltzius was a German printmaker, but he spent much of his career in Haarlem during the Dutch Golden Age. This was a time when the Netherlands was at the center of European commerce and one of the most progressive societies in the world. This progressiveness may have motivated Goltzius to re-imagine English history and the notion of royalty itself. The visual codes used here, such as heraldic shields, swords, and crowns, give the image meaning through cultural and historical associations. For example, it's important to consider that the Dutch Republic fought for its independence from the Spanish Empire in the Eighty Years' War. The war lasted from 1568 to 1648, so Goltzius would have been very aware of contemporary political issues. He would have seen how the lack of political freedom and the absence of religious tolerance under the Habsburgs contrasted sharply with the values of the Dutch Republic. To understand this artwork better, it is useful to consult a range of historical sources that shed light on the relationship between the Netherlands and the monarchies of other European powers.