The course and consequences of British involvement in the Dutch political and religious disputes of the early seventeenth century

This dissertation examines one incident in the intimate interplay between the United Provinces and Great Britain during the early modern period: British participation in the political and religious conflict that rocked the Dutch Republic during the early seventeenth century, and the profound impact that this involvement had on both lands. Although the Dutch disputes began over predestination, they quickly took on political overtones as the two sides, the Remonstrants (Arminians) and their Calvinist Contra-Remonstrant opponents, vehemently argued about the role that government should play in church affairs. Leading political figures in the country supported separate sides in the disputes, as did the governing bodies of the various provinces---heightening the conflict even more.;By late 1611 King James I and other leading English figures had become closely involved in the disputes. The causes of this intervention were (not surprisingly) both religious and political. The King believed that it was his responsibility to support the orthodox beliefs of the Contra-Remonstrants against what he believed were the heresies espoused by the Remonstrants. At the same time he and his advisors correctly observed that the political and religious unrest brought about by the disputes was seriously undermining the unity and strength of an important ally. Although King James's initial impulse was to try to defuse the conflict, when that endeavor proved impossible, he threw his government's considerable influence behind the Contra-Remonstrants. This assistance ultimately helped the Contra-Remonstrants and their political allies secure victory in the conflict. Not all the influence came about as a result of this direct involvement, however. My research shows that both sides in the conflict relied to a remarkable extent on British precedents and sources in arguing their positions.;The disputes also had an impact on Great Britain. Observers there closely followed developments in the United Provinces and repeatedly expressed concern that the conflict would spread to the British Isles---fears that proved only too true. The Dutch disputes directly contributed to an increase in discord about predestination in Great Britain during the 1620s. As in the United Provinces, these clashes took on both political and religious connotations.