The Grand Pensionary of Holland: A European Phenomenon?

Seventeenth century Europe encountered a remarkable political phenomenon: the emergence of the first minister or chancellor. In several West-European countries, these administrative leaders governed the country on behalf of their monarch. Famous examples are cardinal Richelieu in France, chancellor Oxenstierna in Sweden and the count-duke of Olivares in Spain.
In the Dutch Republic existed a similar office like the first-minister, viz the grand pensionary of Holland. Although the grand pensionary was a civil servant in the service of the States of Holland, his constituents expected that he acted as their master. This remark can also be made of his counterparts in the West-European monarchies. That leaves us with the question: what exactly was the grand pensionary? Was he a master or a servant?
In my paper presentation I will argue that the research into the grand pensionary of Holland contributes to the knowledge of other early modern administrative leaders. To underpin my argument, I will present my research to the grand pensionary of Holland and introduce the ‘prime ministerial power analysis-model’ by the British politician Philip Norton. Based on two or three brief case studies of two Holland grand pensionaries, Johan van Oldenbarnevelt and Johan de Witt, I will show how this model works and that it gives us some idea as well of the working of early modern first ministers of chancellors.