BARKEVELDT, JAN VAN OLDEN. grand pensionary of Holland, b. 1547, early showed great ardor In the NUM of the independence of his country. As advocate-general of the province of Holland, he proved equally his insight into affairs and his address in diplo matic management. Penetrating the secret designs of prince Maurice (q.v.) of Orange, he became the head of the republican party, which aimed at subordinating the stadt holder to the legislature. It was he also who opposed the warlikatendeneies of Maurice, concluded (1609) a truce with Spain. and prevented the slates-general from taking part in the revolt of the Bohemians. His influence excited the house of Nassau to still greater jealousy, which in the religious controversies between the Remonstrants (see Aummxtus) and Gomarists degenerated into the bitterest hostility. With the view of B obviating a cival war,. proposed au'eeelesiastical in agreeing to a general toleration in respect of the disputed points. The states at first concurred in this wise measure; but the intrigues of the Orange party brought about a change of views by representing the Remonstrants as secret friends of Spain. B., who sympa thized with the more tolerant principles of that party, was attacked in scurrilous publi cations, and was insulted even in the meeting of the states by the mob, with whom Maurice was an idol. The strife between the Remonstrants and Gomarists became hotter
every day, and threatened to end in civil war. On Aug. 29, 1618, B. was illegally arrested, along with Grotius and Hoogerbeets, and thrown into prison. In the followirig Nov., Maurice procured the summoning of the synod of Port (q.v.), which condemned the Remonstrants with the utmost rigor and injustice. In Mar. 1619, while the synod was still sitting, 13. was brought to trial before a special commission of 24 judges, who condemned as a traitor the innocent man to whoM his country owed its political exist ence. It was in vain that his friends and relations raised their voice; equally vain was the interference of the Dowager princess of Orange and of the French ambassador; Maurice was not to be moved. On May 13, 1619, the venerable man of 71 years of age mounted the scaffold, and laid down his head with the same firmness that lie had shown through all the events of his life. His sons, Wilhelm and Rene, were at the same time dismissed from office. Four years after their father's death they took part in a con spiracy against the life of the prince, which, however, was discovered. Wilhelm escaped to Antwerp, but Rene was seized and beheaded.—See Motley's _Life of B. (2 vols. Loud. 1874).