Margaretha van Parma, landvoogdes der Nederlanden waarschuwt tegen de invoering van de Inquisitie 1650 - 1700

This is a silver medal by Jacques Jonghelinck, commemorating Margaretha van Parma's warning against the introduction of the Inquisition. The piece offers a glimpse into the turbulent 16th century, a time marked by religious and political upheaval in the Netherlands. As Governor of the Netherlands, Margaretha van Parma found herself in a precarious position, caught between the demands of her half-brother, King Philip II of Spain, and the growing unrest among the Dutch populace. The proposed introduction of the Inquisition, with its history of religious persecution, ignited fears and fueled resistance among Protestants and Catholics alike. The medal portrays Margaretha as a figure of authority. The scene depicting the warning against the Inquisition highlights the clash between centralized power and local autonomy. In a society structured by gender, class and religious divides, Margaretha’s intervention speaks to the complexities of navigating power. This medal serves as a reminder of the intricate interplay between personal conviction and political expediency in times of conflict.