Dutch Golden Age

The ' (Dutch: Gouden Eeuw'') was a period in the which roughly lasted from 1588, when the  was established, to 1672, when the ' occurred. During this period, Dutch trade, scientific developments, art and overseas colonisation was among the most prominent in Europe.

Quotes

 * In thriving arts long time had Holland grown, Crouching at home and cruel when abroad: Scarce leaving us the means to claim our own;  Our King they courted, and our merchants awed.Trade, which, like blood, should circularly flow,  Stopp'd in their channels, found its freedom lost: Thither the wealth of all the world did go,  And seem'd but shipwreck'd on so base a coast.For them alone the heavens had kindly heat;  In eastern quarries ripening precious dew: For them the Idumæan balm did sweat,  And in hot Ceylon spicy forests grew.The sun but seem'd the labourer of the year;  Each waxing moon supplied her watery store, To swell those tides, which from the line did bear  Their brimful vessels to the Belgian shore.
 * John Dryden, Annus Mirabilis: The Year of Wonders, 1666, sts. 1–4