The Dutch (26 page)

It was mid-morning on the next day when they caught up to the two Dutch privateers escorting the two cargo vessels also taken as prizes from the fleet. The ships flew the tricolor flag of the Dutch Republic, and Jon raised his own flag bearing the crest of the House of Orange. He eased along-side the trailing Dutch vessel. His sailors began a running conversation with the other crew who confirmed most of what the Boyer's crew told them the previous day. Spain had all but won the war in the south. The news they received that day was indeed grim. Things had not gone well for their homeland in their absence. The Duke of Parma had conquered most of the southern provinces where the Catholic religion was being restored. Antwerp, the largest city in the lowlands, had just fallen, forcing the Protestant population to flee and seek refuge in Holland and Zeeland. The remaining independent provinces in the north were in a fight for survival while attempting to re-settle a hundred thousand refugees. Worse yet, Prince William of Orange, the leader of the Dutch resistance was assassinated. There was some good news, the English and Queen Elizabeth were now openly siding with the Dutch and an English Army had arrived under the command of the Earl of Leicester but the politically inept Earl was losing the support of the Dutch leaders and the merchant classes in Holland and Zeeland. Amsterdam and Gustoff's home in Rotterdam had so far escaped the fighting and the economy was booming despite the war. The southern refugees had brought wealth and financial expertise to the Northern provinces. A wave of new construction was transforming every place the newcomers settled. Holland and Zeeland were still able to financially underwrite the cost of the large fleets of privateers (Beggar Fleets) whose tenacity kept the ports open. Dutch artillerymen on one side of Antwerp's estuary had rendered the city an almost useless prize by denying the occupiers access to the sea.

Jon decided to sail by way of the Zuider Zee directly to Amsterdam. It was the safest way, as long as he avoided the northern quarter where the Spanish still held a few ports. The diplomat could carry the treaties and agreements overland to The Hague when they reached Amsterdam. Taking a wide berth they reached the Zee's safe waters near Den Helder. They were sailing directly toward Amsterdam when the overtaxed rudder finally collapsed. Since the repairs could only be done in a shipyard, the captured Boyer towed the Jachtschip into the nearby Dutch Port of Hoorn. Once John knew the shipyard could make the needed repairs; he gave command of the Boyer to the Master with instructions to deliver the diplomat and his papers to Amsterdam with all possible speed.

From Hoorn, word disseminated across Holland about
Abraham's Youngest Son's
exploits, and crowds gathered at the shipyard. People clamored to catch of view of the ship and the treasure. The presence of the chests and the need to refresh the ship, made Jon limit visits to the port. Yet, whenever a crewman did visit Hoorn, they were greeted as heroes by throngs of well wishers. The ship's adventures had lifted the spirit of the Dutch people who had little to cheer about in recent days. While the ship was repaired, Amsterdam received word of their triumphant return. Their success was the talk of the city. The maritime community was ecstatic about the Venetian and Moroccan agreements. The people of Amsterdam, who needed an escape from the flow of sad news, planned to greet the ship in true Dutch fashion. A massive celebration was planned to honor Amsterdam's most famous ship,
Abraham's Youngest Son.

On the walls of the City of Amsterdam was a tower called the Schreierstoren, which stands looking out over the city's outlet to the Zuider Zee. It is a sacred place, where women gather to scan the horizon looking for their mariner husbands and sons returning from the sea. On this day, Clifford van Weir, choose to share the highest spot on the Schreierstoren with Henri and his wife Reylana. The three were, like countless generations of Dutch women, scanning the lake for the return of their sons who had become national heroes. In doing so the young men had added another magnificent shared experience to generations of such glorious moments.

Yet it was not all glory for these parents. The three members of the older generation each had a mission of their own as the sails of
Abraham's Youngest Son
became visible. The Baron had realized he had waited far too long to discuss private family matters with his son. Henri Roulfs was puzzled and troubled that his design of the ship had almost failed the young men. Reylana, whose needs so often conflicted with those of this particular son, simply wanted to find a way to make amends. Yet all three had agreed beforehand that is was probably best to keep one secret from their sons during the reunion. All agreed that one must never temper a moment of glory.

By 1585 A.D., every Dutch attempt to find a more benevolent king to replace the tyrannical Philip II, had failed. The previous attempt made by Prince William of Orange to make the Duke of Anjou, the brother of the French King, the Sovereign of the Netherlands, ended with the death of both men. Other Dutch efforts to induce Henry II, the French King, or lure the reluctant Queen Elizabeth of England to become the Dutch monarch had also ended in failure. Both rulers, particularly the English Queen, had declined the offer of the crown on numerous occasions and the French Royal family, fearing the Huguenots had recently entered into an alliance with the enemy, Spain.

Yet these efforts were not in vain, for Elizabeth had now sent the English Earl of Leicester along with five thousand soldiers, to be appointed first Governor-General of the Netherlands, with the anticipation he would one day become the Dutch king. The Earl, as prospective monarch, never bothered to learn the Dutch language and failed to understand how important unrestricted trade was to his Burger constituency, particularly the two crucial provinces of Holland and Zeeland. Those two wealthy regions, unlike the five poorer provinces, provided about eighty percent of the funding necessary to carry on the ongoing struggle with Spain. The growing hostility of Holland and Zeeland to Leicester's leadership would eventually force the English Earl to return uncrowned to England. The final breach was the ongoing trade in grain between Dutch merchants and Spanish army quartermasters, even while the war progressed. The Dutch were, in fact, feeding the army they were fighting. The Earl felt that such trade was treasonous and attempted to forbid merchants in Holland and Zeeland from continuing the practice. Holland felt the trade was essential because the profits funded the fleets of Dutch privateers known as the “Sea Beggar Fleets” and a major part of the expenses of the Dutch Republican Army. In the end, the Dutch decided free trade was the lifeblood of the Netherlands and more important than any replacement king from England. In many ways, the Republican form of government owed its incredible existence to the failure of anyone to find a replacement for Philip's forfeited crown.

The Netherlands was now governed by representatives sent from the seven rebellious provinces in the north to the Estates General at The Hague. After the assassination of William of Orange, that legislative body was forced to bear the additional burden of making executive decisions. Those assembled had the responsibility of collectively governing in the best interests of the new Dutch Nation. Yet, some members, like many politicians, put the selfish needs of their constituency above the welfare of the entire Republic. Many delegates had a tendency to represent a region's commercial or religious interests. When William was alive, the Estates General eventually conceded to his patriotic agenda, but after his death, financial matters and radical religious issues often immobilized the government.

Alessandro Farnese, best known as the Duke of Parma, was Spain's best military commander since his arrival in the Netherlands in 1577, and would eventually be appointed the sole Spanish military commander in the Low Countries by his cousin King Phillip. He proved a ruthless and cunning foe of the Dutch. Great cities such as Brussels and later Antwerp fell to him after a two year siege. Antwerp, the largest city in the Low Countries would be lost to Spanish domination forever, forcing the minority Protestant population to seek sanctuary in the north. By 1584, Parma's invincible army seemed poised to wage one last campaign and crush the rebellion completely. However, sometimes things are not always as they might seem. The Duke had to deal with a set of conflicting military goals given to him by the Spanish King. While it was true the Dutch had failed to win a single battle against Parma, they had by perseverance, worn down Parma's reputation by attrition. The continued resistance had eroded, over time, King Philip's faith in his greatest commander, Count Parma.

Philip II had grown distrustful of his cousin, a commander-in-chief who spent enormous sums of money, won every battle, yet was unable to end the revolt. The king decided to send parts of Parma's army south, not north, to guard against the border threat from the French Huguenots who were a problem for his ally the French king. Philip then ordered many of Parma's remaining soldiers to mass for the invasion of England, long before the expected arrival of the Armada needed to ferry them to English soil. These actions removed much of the military pressure on the Northern provinces that were holding out in open rebellion. Philip, having at least inspired, if not paid for the assassination of William of Orange, now gave his dispirited Dutch opponents the precious gift of time to find a new leader. This allowed William's seventeen-year old son, Maurice of Nassua, a chance to mature into the most effective military leader in the history of the Dutch Republic. Despite the setbacks and the assassination, a calm and determined attitude developed among the rebellious nobles, burgers, and commoners in the north. They thought, with the help of the Almighty, the revolution would prevail. It became a matter of faith among the growing Calvinist faithful that such was God's Will. The people of Amsterdam, a former royalist city, had heard that higher calling and evolved into the King Philip's most determined opponent.

To Amsterdam's citizens, the glorious adventures of
Abrahams Youngest Son
renewed the resolve to continue the fight. The people saw the small Jachtschip as an extension of themselves. The ship had survived insurmountable obstacles; so too would their growing city, which had taken on the mantel of not just supporting but leading the revolution. The ship's surprising accomplishments reminded even wavering patriots that the Dutch David would eventually slay the Spanish Goliath. The news from Hoorn about the exploits of the Jachtschip excited the city into a volume of chatter that surpassed anything heard-even when the Baron Clifford Van Weir rode against the wild men. It was the only topic of conversation in the market places, taverns, and breakfast tables. Captain Jon Van Weir and First Officer Gustoff Roulfs were hailed as representative of the next great generation willing to carry on the struggle for independence. Amsterdam, now a solidly Calvinist city, warmly adopted both young men as their favorite sons despite the rumors that Jon was married in a Roman Cathedral to a Catholic Venetian princess. They felt the marriage was God's will and his wife would one day convert to the new true faith.

On the repaired and refreshed ship sailing towards Amsterdam, Jon and Gustoff listened to angry deliberations among the crew. The seamen and soldiers were arguing among themselves on how to divide their share of the money received from the prize and the much more valuable treasure chests. Such deliberations were democratic but boisterous affairs. Financial rewards were a large part of the lure of the sea for Dutch sailors. In the end, they decided the families of the deceased, the boatswain, and the pilot, would receive two shares each. All others would receive one share, with half a share awarded to those who joined the ship in transit. The officers needed no deliberation to divide their share. Jon van Weir, as Captain, was technically eligible for lion's share but had generously decided it would be split evenly among himself, Gustoff, and the master. The layover in Hoorn upped the chances that Jon's father and Gustoff's mother would be in Amsterdam when they arrived. The voyage had mellowed both young men. Jon became more appreciative of the lure of leading men in battle since experiencing the feelings of command. He now understood how a fervent patriot and warrior like his father might choose the battlefield. Jon felt a similar sense of duty when he left Maria in Venice. Gustoff became more disciplined and much more self-assured. Both wanted to place the unpleasant emotions of their youth behind them.

Since leaving Hoorn, the crew had made the ship as presentable as possible for the homecoming. They proudly raised two flags from the top mast. One bore the family crest of the House of Orange and the other the newer tricolored flag of the Republic obtained in Hoorn. Other masts held flags representing the victories over Spanish and Ottoman ships. With the ship in order, they turned their scrutiny to the rather scruffy appearance of both officers. Some thought they had embarrassed the ship's company with their disheveled appearance during the layover at Hoorn. The right to wear sea beards and uncut hair was universally given to seamen, but officers were expected to keep a neater appearance. It was the master who informed both Jon and Gustoff of the crew's disenchantment and of the boatswain's offer of his modest barbering services. Both acquiesced to the sailors' wishes.

The newly well-groomed, young officers were a sight to behold as they sailed into the Port of Amsterdam. Both wore their grey dress uniforms adorned with the purple lace and gold trim. Gustoff wore the brace of silver pistols given to him by the Baron, while Jon had an ancient gold plated Venetian officer's sword hanging perpendicularly along his leg, another gift from his father-in-law. It was the same sword he had used to slay two disembarking Moors. In a rare tribute, the crew left the two officers standing alone on the ship's quarterdeck, making them more visible to the thousands of citizens awaiting the ship's arrival. As the ship made its docking maneuver, Jon occasionally snapped an exaggerated salute, while Gustoff repeatedly waved his hat to the adoring crowd. The city's cannons roared a thunderous welcoming salute. A contingent of sheriffs had roped off the immediate area at the mooring. The area was reserved for dignitaries and the crew's families. When a walkway connected the ship to the dock, a familiar voice asked for permission to come on board. Not waiting for a reply, the Baron Clifford van Weir gallantly ushered Reylana and Henri Roulfs on to the main deck of
Abraham's Youngest Son.
To the crowd's delight, Gustoff instinctively embraced his parents, especially his mother, while the Baron, in a rare moment of emotion, almost uncomfortably hugged his son as the onlookers cheered. To everyone's relief, the continuous roar of the crowd prevented any conversation. After the crew's family members came on board, the dignitaries scrambled up the passageway to shake Jon's and Gustoff's hand and those of any crew member in reach. With the captain distracted, the Jachtschip became in danger of being swamped by overcrowding. The boatswain took charge and had the sheriffs bar anyone else from boarding. Sensing the crowd's disappointment, John directed that the Moorish treasure be brought to the quarterdeck where the throng could see the chests. He addressed the people, promising all a future tour of the ship. He thanked them for welcoming their ship home. The crowd and the politicians slowly dispersed leaving space for the crew to unite with loved ones. The city supplied a meal. Soon food handlers were distributing food and drink to everyone on board and the ship's master, who earlier delivered the diplomat and the prize to Amsterdam, was welcomed back aboard.

The Master was invited with the Baron and the Roulfs to Jon's small captain's cabin. As they sat down in the cramped quarters, he told the families their sons were extraordinary young men and he felt honored to have served with them. He emphasized that Jon's leadership and Gustoff's uncanny aim brought glory to the Jachtschip and Holland. Sensing their son's embarrassment, he reported to Jon on his activities since reaching Amsterdam. He told Jon that he had received a number of bids on the prize inflated by the excitement of the moment and recommended a quick acceptance of the highest one. Without seeking counsel, Jon told him to sell the captured ship. With the issue of the prize settled, the Master turned the discussion to the Moroccan treasure. The Master was approached by a consortium of gemstone merchants from Amsterdam requesting to view the treasure chests. They wanted to set a price for the contents of all five chests. Reylana, never timid about expressing an opinion, suggested that another coalition of merchants be given the same opportunity. The Baron more or less begrudgingly reminded everyone they needed a very good reason to dispose of the treasure outside of Amsterdam. Everyone agreed that the offer from any other region needed to be substantially higher. The Baron reported that the Estate General was so pleased by the success of the voyage they had already authorized the wages still owed to the crew. Since no respectable Dutch seaman would leave a vessel until he received every guilder he was due, sometimes waiting a long time for their pay, this was good news for the seamen and soldiers. Once the treasure was disposed of, they would be going home. The day became even more special for Jon when his Uncle Karl and Aunt Sara unexpectedly arrived. It seems his father had sent a detachment of horsemen to fetch them when he received word the ship arrived at Hoorn. Jon loved his Aunt Sara who had managed the maternal role in his life after his mother's and grandmother's death. His Uncle Karl was a surrogate father when his father went away to war. It was Lord Karl rather than his father who taught him many of the things he would need to know when he became the next Lord of the Droger Land. It was an official title his uncle had forsaken when he married the commoner Sara.

Sharing such a celebration was anything but unique for these families. Their ancestors had welcomed home hundreds of warrior sons and jointly mourned the loss of others. It was just another joyous day for two lineages that transcended generations. Today's proud moment only reestablished the bond between the Roulfs and the van Weir's. Once the important discussion regarding the ship's business was over, the initial questions from both families were mostly about Jon's bride. Modestly, Jon would only say that they would be pleased with his choice and he apologized that circumstance had not allowed prior approval by his father and family. Jon smiled as he told them Maria was pleasing on the eyes and the most remarkable young woman they would ever meet. He felt it ill advised to mention the baby until he received official word that all was well. Yet, in his heart, he already knew that all was well. After the questions about Maria subsided, the families pressed for more details about the remarkable voyage. Lord Clifford wanted to know about the Venetian military, while Lord Karl's curiosity lay with the similarities noted between the Venetian and Dutch forms of Republican government. Henri inquired about Mediterranean galleys while Sara and Reylana were happiest when the conversation focused on the fashion and fads observed at the Venetian court. Jon and Gustoff did their best to answer every question, but received vague or evasive replies to their own inquiries about events at home during their absence. It was Gustoff and not Jon who began to suspect that the families were hiding something from them. And they were. It was the same secret being withheld by the Duke of Parma from the Spanish king. Gustoff also told his parents about the young African stowaway Kahili and asked them to take him home with them to Rotterdam. As the families departed, Jon and Gustoff promised to visit home as soon as the ship's issues were resolved.