Two Views of
the Dutch Invasion Armada
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| View of the Fleet of William of Orange at Hellevoetsluis, 18/28 October 1688etched by Daniel Marot, 1688. From The Age of William and Mary, eds Maccubbin and Hamilton-Phillips.
Marot, William's talented architect and designer, commemorates the assembly and preparation for the initial embarkation of the fleet, which was turned back by severe winds two days later. Viewed as through the side wings of a theatrical set opening onto a spectacle, the ships, including the Prince's own yacht (C), are loaded with canons (lined up on the docks), while spectators such as Marshall Schomberg (B) view the fleet through telescopes. A printing press to generate propaganda was among the other possessions William took with him, along with some 5,000 horses and 15,000 troops [figures from Jonathan Israel]. |
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| The Order of the Fleet on the Second Departure, 1/11 November 1688etched by Adrian Schoonebeek, Amsterdam, 1688.
Winds were favorable for William's second effort to cross the Channel, and within two days his fleet was in sight of the English coast. In the foreground, the Prince of Orange prepares to alight on British soil; dressed in Roman parade armor like a second Aeneas, he glides to the shore on a shell, accompanied by aquatic standard-bearers announcing his purpose: "For Protestant Religion and Liberty." |
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last modified: 09/25/00