Wendela Bicker (Amsterdam, baptized 30 December 1635 – 1 July 1668) was the wife of Johan de Witt. She was one of the richest young female commoners of her time and she married one of the most influential republican politicians in the Netherlands. She was in the public eye during her lifetime and entered history books thereafter. This is facilitated by the letters and the housekeeping books she left behind. The narrative about her life reflects how the role of women in the Netherlands in the 17th century was and is understood.
Grand Pensionary of Holland Johan de Witt marries Wendela Bicker
Wendela Bicker (Amsterdam, baptized 30 December 1635 – 1 July 1668) was the wife of Johan de Witt.
Historical Significance
Wendela Bicker (Amsterdam, baptized 30 December 1635 – 1 July 1668) was the wife of Johan de Witt.
Key People
Events Before
Louis XIV is crowned King of France
Louis XIV (5 September 1638 – 1 September 1715), also known as Louis the Great (Louis le Grand [lwi lə ɡʁɑ̃]) or the Sun King (le Roi Soleil [lə ʁwa sɔlɛj]), was King of France from 1643 until his...
Fire after heavy storm destroys two thirds of De Rijp, Netherlands, 1 person dies
Fire after heavy storm destroys two thirds of De Rijp, Netherlands, 1 person dies
Portuguese troops conquer last Dutch base on Recife
Dutch Brazil (Dutch: Nederlands-Brazilië; Portuguese: Brasil Holandês), also known as New Holland (Dutch: Nieuw-Holland), was a colony of the Dutch Republic in the northeastern portion of modern-day...
Dutch tragedy "Lucifer" by Joost van den Vondel, and regarded as his masterpiece, premieres in Amsterdam - banned three
Dutch tragedy "Lucifer" by Joost van den Vondel, and regarded as his masterpiece, premieres in Amsterdam - banned three days later
Anglo-Swedish alliance: commercial trade agreement between England and Sweden is signed
Anglo-Swedish alliance: commercial trade agreement between England and Sweden is signed
Events After
Oldest surviving commercial newspaper, "Weeckelycke Courante van Europa", now known as "Haarlems Dagblad", and still in
Oldest surviving commercial newspaper, "Weeckelycke Courante van Europa", now known as "Haarlems Dagblad", and still in print, begins publication in Haarlem, Netherlands
English Poet and author of epic "Paradise Lost" John Milton (47) marries 2nd wife Katherine Woodcock
English Poet and author of epic "Paradise Lost" John Milton (47) marries 2nd wife Katherine Woodcock
Spanish galleon Nuestra Señora de las Maravillas, laden with gold and jewellery bound for Spain, sinks off the coast of
Spanish galleon Nuestra Señora de las Maravillas, laden with gold and jewellery bound for Spain, sinks off the coast of the Bahamas, only 45 of 650 people survive (most eaten by sharks) [1]
Frederick William I of Brandenburg and King Charles X Gustav of Sweden sign the Treaty of Königsberg
Frederick William I of Brandenburg and King Charles X Gustav of Sweden sign the Treaty of Königsberg
First Jewish doctor in North American colonies, Jacob Lumbrozo, arrives in Maryland
First Jewish doctor in North American colonies, Jacob Lumbrozo, arrives in Maryland
More from the 1650s
Oldest surviving commercial newspaper, "Weeckelycke Courante van Europa", now known as "Haarlems Dagblad", and still in
Oldest surviving commercial newspaper, "Weeckelycke Courante van Europa", now known as "Haarlems Dagblad", and still in print, begins publication in Haarlem, Netherlands
New Amsterdam becomes a city, later renamed New York City
New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States.
First known cheque written (£400), now on display at Westminster Abbey
First known cheque written (£400), now on display at Westminster Abbey
English Parliament presents the Humble Petition and Advice to Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell, offering him the crown, bu
English Parliament presents the Humble Petition and Advice to Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell, offering him the crown, but he declines
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on February 16, 1655?
- Wendela Bicker (Amsterdam, baptized 30 December 1635 – 1 July 1668) was the wife of Johan de Witt. She was one of the richest young female commoners of her time and she married one of the most influential republican politicians in the Netherlands. She was in the public eye during her lifetime and entered history books thereafter.
- Why is Grand Pensionary of Holland Johan de Witt marries Wendela Bicker significant?
- Wendela Bicker (Amsterdam, baptized 30 December 1635 – 1 July 1668) was the wife of Johan de Witt.
- Who was involved in Grand Pensionary of Holland Johan de Witt marries Wendela Bicker?
- Key figures include Johan de Witt (statesman).