Gijsbrecht van Aemstel (play)
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- See Gijsbrecht IV of Amstel for the historical figure on whom this play is based.
Gijsbrecht van Aemstel was a 17th century history play by Joost van den Vondel, written to inaugurate Amsterdam's first city theatre. The first production was planned to take place on 26 December 1637, but was postponed until 3 January 1638. The piece was then performed annually (on New Year's Day) in Amsterdam until 1968.
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[edit] Plot
Set in 1304, it relates the siege of Amsterdam and its surrounding towns, united by the Kennemers and Waterlanders. The reason for the siege is Gijsbrecht's alleged involvement in the abduction and manslaughter of Floris V in 1296.
The enemy soldiers appear to leave, but in reality smuggle themselves into the town, hidden in a cargo of firewood being shipped in by the citizens of Amsterdam. After a violent battle, Gijsbrecht is forced to flee to Prussians, to found a "New Holland" there.
[edit] Historical accuracy
Although a certain number of details in the play are demonstrably incorrect, perhaps more historical truth is hidden in it than historians often thought, with Vondel perhaps having access to sources that are now lost to us.
In reality, the nobleman who in 1304 invaded Amsterdam (to recover his position and possessions lost in 1296) was not Gijsbrecht IV (1235-1303), but his son Jan I (1270-1345).
Professor Pim de Boer at the University of Groningen has found serious (though not entirely conclusive) indications that Gijsbrecht - after his exile, with a few followers - founded Pruissisch Holland (now in Poland), not far from Elbing (also now in Poland).
[edit] First words
- Het hemelsche gerecht heeft zich ten langen leste
- erbarremt over my en myn benauwde veste,
- en arme burgery, en op myn volcx gebed,
- en daag'lykse schryen den stad ontzet.
[edit] Last words
- Vaer wel, mijn Aemsterland: verwacht een' andren heer.
- (Farewell, my Aemsterland: await another lord.)
[edit] Parodies
Various parodies and continuations of the play have been produced by other authors, including the musical "The Angel of Amsterdam" ("De Engel van Amsterdam").
