‘Het twistend kroost, dat u verstiet’. Gedichten over Oranjes terugkeer in 1813

Samenvatting

This article gives an argumentative analysis of welcome poems for King William the First after Napoleons defeat. Did his comeback bring about a reconciliation between the opposing parties of the patriots and the Orangeists? There is a broad consensus, but the linking of patriotism with monarchism did not please all the poets: the most popular poet of the time, Hendrik Tollens, keeps well away for almost two years. After Waterloo all are united by the belief in a typically Dutch monarchy and in a nonviolent nation.