Dirck Volkertsz Coornhert (1522-90). Writer and Engraver

Dirck Volkertsz Coornhert. Copy after Cornelis Cornelisz of Haarlem, last quarter 16th century. Coornhert (1522-1590) became town secretary of Haarlem in 1562. He belonged to the influential circle of humanist intellectuals associated with William of Orange. For Coornhert, tolerance and religious freedom were central tenets of the Dutch Revolt. This brought him into conflict with both Catholics and Protestants. When Spanish troops landed in the Netherlands in 1567, Coornhert was arrested as a suspected heretic. He managed to escape to Germany. Later, having returned to Haarlem, he was forced to flee again. This time from the Calvinists.