Unique find: Municipality of Medemblik has owned a portrait of Willem van Oranje for 400 years

While browsing through old municipal finances, Peter Swart of the Westfries Archive came across an appendix: the inventory list of Castle Radboud from 1628. The castle was given a new manager at that time and it was necessary to map out what was there, such as food, furniture and dressing. And there were also these three paintings by the municipality of Medemblik. Small blow to the arm: it could also be about another series. “But that would be very coincidental,” said Swart.

An accidental find that you, as a historian, naturally hope for. “It was really nice that we found this. We also know very little about the castle from that time. So this makes it very concrete. It is the only evidence we have.” But whether the city bought it, or got it donated, is still unknown. “We did look for how it ended up in Medemblik, but have not found anything about it.”

How Medemblik fell into the hands of the Geuzen

Medemblik was the second city in North Holland after Enkhuizen to fall into the hands of William of Orange and the Geuzen in 1572. But where this is celebrated on a grand scale in many places, in Enkhuizen even with the reenactment of the liberation, this does not apply to Medemblik.

According to Swart, it is because the way in which Medemblik was incorporated was not exactly attractive. After Enkhuizen fell into the hands of the Geuzen, they wanted to move on quickly. Together with the Enkhuizers they moved to Medemblik. But they weren’t there waiting for the insurgents at all. Radboud Castle was used to defend the city. After all, the lord of the manor had sworn an oath to the Spanish legal authority.

Fearing what would happen if they attacked the castle, the Geuzen opted for a different tactic. They took women and children from the city and used them as living shields. Of course the soldiers did not want to shoot at their own children/wives, so seven hours later Medemblik was also in the hands of the insurgents. As far as is now known, this perishes without bloodshed, although the details of this are also lacking. So as far as Peter Swart is concerned, that is the reason not to dwell on it extensively. “It’s special now because it’s 450 years ago. But not something to think about every year in Medemblik.”

Radboud Castle

The historian expects the series of portraits to have hung in the knights’ hall of Radboud Castle. Swart laughs uncomfortably when he notices that the three paintings in the old town hall are not hanging next to each other. “You would actually want them to hang in a row here too,” says Swart with a laugh.

Swart: “Our Prince William of Orange now looks a bit pathetic. The other two paintings hang downstairs in a different room, but a series should of course hang next to each other.”

The inventory list from 1628 will be presented during the cultural event Golden Night shown tomorrow in the council chamber of the old town hall. Swart is there to explain.