Dutch Reformed Protestants in the Holy Roman Empire, c.1550–1620: A Reformation of Refugees

Refugees from the Reformed Protestant faith in the Netherlands sought safety in the Holy Roman Empire in the late sixteenth century, leading to the study of their diverse experiences. This book challenges the notion that these refugees developed more organized and doctrinal churches and highlights their willingness to compromise and adapt to their new environments.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 326 pages
Publication date: 13 February 2024
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Ltd

The mid-sixteenth century witnessed a significant exodus of Reformed Protestants from the Netherlands, driven by widespread persecution and war. Tens of thousands of these individuals sought refuge in cities and towns within the Holy Roman Empire, seeking a new life free from the dangers they faced at home. This book delves into the experiences of these refugees, who traversed the Rhine River watershed to the east and southeast, seeking solace in large cities and small towns.

A comprehensive approach is taken in this study, examining these forced migrations from various political, intellectual, social, cultural, religious, and linguistic perspectives. A large prosopographical database is utilized to track the movements and experiences of the refugees, providing valuable insights into their lives. The authors challenge the prevailing notion that Reformed Protestants, during their time of persecution and exile, developed more doctrinal, volunteeristic, and well-organized churches. Instead, they argue that refugees demonstrated remarkable adaptability and willingness to compromise, even as they established new relationships with the unfamiliar people they encountered abroad.

This book is the result of an extensive collaboration between two senior scholars, one with European training in theology and intellectual history and the other with expertise in social and cultural history. Together, they assembled a team of researchers who contributed their diverse perspectives to the project. The result is a rich and nuanced examination of the experiences of Reformed Protestant religious refugees in late sixteenth-century Europe.

Upon its publication, this book will be openly available in digital formats, thanks to generous funding from the Dutch Research Council. Its insights into the lives of refugees and forced migrations in early modern Europe will undoubtedly contribute to our understanding of this complex period of history.

Weight: 482g
Dimension: 152 x 230 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781648250767