Archief van het Hof van Holland
Item
Country
NL
Name of institution (English)
National Archives
Name of institution (official language of the state)
Language of name of institution
dut
Contact information: postal address
Prins Willem-Alexanderhof 20, 2595 BE The Hague
Contact information: phone number
0031 703315400
Contact information: web address
Contact information: email
Reference number
3.03.01.01
Type of reference number
Archival reference number
Title (English)
Court of Holland Archives
Title (official language of the state)
Archief van het Hof van Holland
Language of title
dut
Creator / accumulator
Hof van Holland, Zeeland en West-Friesland (Court of Holland, Zeeland and West-Friesland)
Hof van Justitie van Holland en Zeeland (Court of Justice of Holland and Zeeland)
Hof van Justitie van Holland (Court of Justice of Holland)
Commissie tot afdoening der zaken van de Consignatiekas van het voormalige (Commission for Settlement of the Cases of the Consignation Office of the former Court of Justice of Holland)
Date(s)
1428/1811
Language(s)
dut
fra
lat
Extent
592.60 linear meters (11,799 storage units)
Type of material
Textual Material
Physical condition
Satisfactory
Scope and content
The Archief van het Hof van Holland comprises information produced between 1428 and 1811 by the Court of Holland. The archive is divided into nine sections following subject and provenance criteria: 1) Stukken van algemene aard (Documents of a general nature); 2) Stukken betreffende de rechtspraak (Documents concerning the administration of justice); 3) Extra-judiciële stukken (Extrajudicial documents); 4) Stukken betreffende bestuurlijke taken van het Hof van Holland (Documents pertaining to the administrative tasks of the Court of Holland); 5) Stukken betreffende de organisatie van het Hof van Holland (Documents concerning the organisation of the Court of Holland); 6) Nagelaten stukken van raadsheren en ministers van het Hof (1601-1766) (Documents left behind by councillors and ministers of the Court); 7) Varia; 8) Stukken waarvan het verband met het archief niet is gebleken (Documents of uncertain connection to the archives); and 9) Consignatiekas (Documents of the commitee established in 1814 for the settlement of cases from the Consignment Office of the former Court of Justice of Holland).
Among this extensive judicial documentation, there are several cases involving members of the Sephardic community, such as:
7037: Civil trials. Miguel de Paz against Joan (Johan) de Haro, both Portuguese merchants in Amsterdam. 1633-1635.
5331: Documents regarding the affair involving Eva Cohen and Michiel Verboon's marriage. 1680-1684. For this case, see Bernfeld (2019).
3007: Petitions for mandates, with annexes from clerks and secretaries, year 1655: includes documents related to a case between Lopo Ramires and Jerónimo Nunes da Costa concerning a frigate they were delivering to the King of Portugal. May 6, 1655.
819: Civil sentences records, year 1682: includes a sentence of a case that opposed Abraham Curiel and the Parnassim of the Portuguese Jewish Congregation of Amsterdam against Rachel Aboab, Lopo Ramirez's widow.
5341.9: Criminal trials. Purge order against Aron Gabay Faro, a Reformed Jew accused of falsity. 1685.
5345.15: Criminal trials. Purge order against Moses Mendez Cotingo (Coutinho?), accused of taking part in a murder. 1687.
11408-11409, and 13823: Eleonora Mendez (Leonor Mendes), plaintiff against Reinier de Swaen, the defendant (1688-1694). A trial involving Leonor Mendes, a Portuguese Jewess, concerning a house on Binnen Amstel. This case is related to the Del Sotto family's wider conflict with the Parnassim and other members of the Sephardic community of Amsterdam.
5365.A.11: Criminal trials. Information regarding Jan Trepsagh, a Theology student, who had addressed a threatening letter to Abraham Lopes Suasso in The Hague, in order to obtain money. 1695.
11596 and 13856: Salomon Pereira and others, plaintiffs, against Hendrik David de Willem and others, defendants, 1709-1712. Defence against a claim by the defendant regarding the transport of a batch of East Indian actions and other claims. Other trials involving Salomon Pereira can be found in 11670-11672 and 11707.
9201: Jacob Marcodo, plaintiff against the treasurer and slaughterer of the Jewish Congregation of The Hague, defendants (1705-1706). Dispute concerning the costs for extension and removal of a Jewish cemetery.
5404.8: Criminal trials. Documents concerning David de Penja, a Jewish merchant in Rotterdam, for purchasing stolen goods at Rockanje. 1725.
5471.17: Criminal trials. Local inspection of a theft committed at the residence of Baron Suasso in The Hague. 1758.
Among this extensive judicial documentation, there are several cases involving members of the Sephardic community, such as:
7037: Civil trials. Miguel de Paz against Joan (Johan) de Haro, both Portuguese merchants in Amsterdam. 1633-1635.
5331: Documents regarding the affair involving Eva Cohen and Michiel Verboon's marriage. 1680-1684. For this case, see Bernfeld (2019).
3007: Petitions for mandates, with annexes from clerks and secretaries, year 1655: includes documents related to a case between Lopo Ramires and Jerónimo Nunes da Costa concerning a frigate they were delivering to the King of Portugal. May 6, 1655.
819: Civil sentences records, year 1682: includes a sentence of a case that opposed Abraham Curiel and the Parnassim of the Portuguese Jewish Congregation of Amsterdam against Rachel Aboab, Lopo Ramirez's widow.
5341.9: Criminal trials. Purge order against Aron Gabay Faro, a Reformed Jew accused of falsity. 1685.
5345.15: Criminal trials. Purge order against Moses Mendez Cotingo (Coutinho?), accused of taking part in a murder. 1687.
11408-11409, and 13823: Eleonora Mendez (Leonor Mendes), plaintiff against Reinier de Swaen, the defendant (1688-1694). A trial involving Leonor Mendes, a Portuguese Jewess, concerning a house on Binnen Amstel. This case is related to the Del Sotto family's wider conflict with the Parnassim and other members of the Sephardic community of Amsterdam.
5365.A.11: Criminal trials. Information regarding Jan Trepsagh, a Theology student, who had addressed a threatening letter to Abraham Lopes Suasso in The Hague, in order to obtain money. 1695.
11596 and 13856: Salomon Pereira and others, plaintiffs, against Hendrik David de Willem and others, defendants, 1709-1712. Defence against a claim by the defendant regarding the transport of a batch of East Indian actions and other claims. Other trials involving Salomon Pereira can be found in 11670-11672 and 11707.
9201: Jacob Marcodo, plaintiff against the treasurer and slaughterer of the Jewish Congregation of The Hague, defendants (1705-1706). Dispute concerning the costs for extension and removal of a Jewish cemetery.
5404.8: Criminal trials. Documents concerning David de Penja, a Jewish merchant in Rotterdam, for purchasing stolen goods at Rockanje. 1725.
5471.17: Criminal trials. Local inspection of a theft committed at the residence of Baron Suasso in The Hague. 1758.
5252.22: Criminal papers, January 22, 1654: contains information about the contact made by the "Conselho de Ancião Judaicos" (Jewish Elder Council) of Recife with the Dutch authorities, about the violence and confusion that affected the city in the final months of the Dutch occupation of Brazil. It was said that among the houses being sacked, those that belonged to Jews were particularly in peril. The contact made direct reference to the house of José Francês, the richest resident of the city, that was also a Jew. This information was provided by Abraham Cohen, that called the meeting of the elders, which was made of Jacob de Lemos, Benjamin de Pina, Fernão Martins, and himself (Levy 2008, 84)
Archival history
Apart from a few temporary moves, the Archief van het Hof van Holland has a reasonably well-organised history. Its management was under the responsibility of the "griffier" (court clerk). In 1445, when the "griffier" was initially appointed, he was given the special task of writing down "akten en vonnissen" (acts and sentences) in specific books, leading to the creation of the "sententieregisters" (registers of verdicts) series. In the following centuries, many other series derived from this initial documentation.
Until its transference to the Algemeen Rijksarchief (General State Archives) in 1854, the archive was nearly always kept in various rooms at the Binnenhof in the Hague, where the Hof van Holland (Court of Holland) traditionally had its seat. Exceptions were from 1572 to 1578 and from 1806 to 1813.
During the years of the Rebellion after the capture of Brielle in 1572, almost the entire Court of Holland, together with other secular and ecclesiastical institutions, fled to Utrecht. For fear of arson and to prevent sensitive information from falling into the hands of the enemy, the entire archive was then taken to Utrecht as well. On the way, the documentation was plundered, and numerous items were destroyed. How much archive material disappeared is unknown, but it is likely that the collection of criminal papers was almost completely destroyed. In 1578, the former president of the Court, Cornelis Suys (1514-1580), and the substitute "griffier" (court clerk), Dirck Jansz van Woerden (died 1591), returned to The Hague, along with several shiploads of records. Whether at that time all parts of the archive had been returned cannot be determined.
The second temporary move of the Hof van Holland archives was the consequence of the unexpected claim of Binnenhof by Louis Napoleon in 1806. After this, the new Hof van Justitie (Court of Justice) was institutionalised and installed in the Noordeinde Palace. After the dissolution of the Keizerlijk Hooggerechtshof (Imperial High Court) in 1813, the entire archive of the former Hof van Holland (abolished in 1811) returned to Binnenhof and was put under the management of Johan Hendrik Speirman (1762-1837), the secretary of the Hof van Justitie since 1808. From 1813 until he died in 1837, he was the first clerk of the Hooggerechtshof (Supreme Court). Speirman wrote a manual on the Hof van Holland archives that still contains helpful instructions for current users.
In 1838, in the sequence of the new judicial division and the establishment of the Hoge Raad der Nederlanden (Supreme Court of the Netherlands), the archives of the former courts of justice fell under the responsibility of the state archivist, then Johannes Cornelis de Jonge (1793-1853), who held the position until 1853.
In 1854, the archives were transferred to the Algemeen Rijksarchief, which had been established two years earlier.
Until its transference to the Algemeen Rijksarchief (General State Archives) in 1854, the archive was nearly always kept in various rooms at the Binnenhof in the Hague, where the Hof van Holland (Court of Holland) traditionally had its seat. Exceptions were from 1572 to 1578 and from 1806 to 1813.
During the years of the Rebellion after the capture of Brielle in 1572, almost the entire Court of Holland, together with other secular and ecclesiastical institutions, fled to Utrecht. For fear of arson and to prevent sensitive information from falling into the hands of the enemy, the entire archive was then taken to Utrecht as well. On the way, the documentation was plundered, and numerous items were destroyed. How much archive material disappeared is unknown, but it is likely that the collection of criminal papers was almost completely destroyed. In 1578, the former president of the Court, Cornelis Suys (1514-1580), and the substitute "griffier" (court clerk), Dirck Jansz van Woerden (died 1591), returned to The Hague, along with several shiploads of records. Whether at that time all parts of the archive had been returned cannot be determined.
The second temporary move of the Hof van Holland archives was the consequence of the unexpected claim of Binnenhof by Louis Napoleon in 1806. After this, the new Hof van Justitie (Court of Justice) was institutionalised and installed in the Noordeinde Palace. After the dissolution of the Keizerlijk Hooggerechtshof (Imperial High Court) in 1813, the entire archive of the former Hof van Holland (abolished in 1811) returned to Binnenhof and was put under the management of Johan Hendrik Speirman (1762-1837), the secretary of the Hof van Justitie since 1808. From 1813 until he died in 1837, he was the first clerk of the Hooggerechtshof (Supreme Court). Speirman wrote a manual on the Hof van Holland archives that still contains helpful instructions for current users.
In 1838, in the sequence of the new judicial division and the establishment of the Hoge Raad der Nederlanden (Supreme Court of the Netherlands), the archives of the former courts of justice fell under the responsibility of the state archivist, then Johannes Cornelis de Jonge (1793-1853), who held the position until 1853.
In 1854, the archives were transferred to the Algemeen Rijksarchief, which had been established two years earlier.
Administrative / Biographical history
Under the Dukes of Burgundy, the Hof van Holland (Court of Holland) succeeded the Oude Grafelijke Read (Old Count's Council). The new Court held administrative functions and was charged with administering justice in the county. It is believed that its establishment took place in the first half of the 15th century. Shortly after its establishment, around 1445, the focus of the Hof van Holland shifted more towards a judicial role. The institutional changes also led to the modification of the original name of the Raad van Holland (Council of Holland). From the middle of the 15th century onwards, the term "Hof" or "Hove van Hollant" appears more often in the documentation.
The stadtholder had both judicial and administrative powers. As a judge, he had to oversee the proper administration of justice. As an administrator, he was responsible for renewing the law in the cities and convening the States.
In 1445, the office of president was also created. This new office was supposed to function alongside or in the absence of the stadtholder. However, the president's appointment was met with great resistance and was discontinued in 1448. From the Instruction of 1510, however, there was a president again, who functioned alongside the stadtholder. In the absence of the stadtholder, the president took care of his duties, for instance in the consultation with the States of Holland.
In the 15th century, the Hof van Holland was composed of eight to nine "raadsheren" (councillors). This number increased to 12 in the Instruction of 1510. Of these 12, six were considered ordinary councillors, and the other six were "commissarissen" (commissioners), who were expected to gather information and carry out investigations. In the following centuries, this division remained fundamentally unchanged.
In addition to the college of councillors, the "griffier" (clerk) was a central figure of the Hof van Holland. The "griffier" was mainly responsible for the administration of the Court. His duties were increasingly expanded in successive Instructions, including registering, maintaining, and preparing documents.
Two other important officials were the "procureur-generaal" (attorney general) and the "advocaat-fiscaal" (fiscal advocate). In 1520, it was decided to combine these two offices to grant them more authority and importance. In addition, the then reinforced office of the "procureur-generaal" received new powers and was allowed to be present during the deliberations of the councillors.
While the Hoge Raad van Holland, Zeeland en West-Friesland (Supreme Council of Holland, Zeeland and West Friesland) was permanently abolished during the Batavian Revolution in 1795, the Hof van Holland continued to exist as a provincial court of justice. In 1798, it was renamed Hof van Justitie van Holland en Zeeland (Court of Justice of Holland and Zeeland). The state regulation of 1801 established a new Nationaal Gerechtshof (National Court of Justice), which served as the Court of appeal for all provinces of the Batavian Republic.
After the imperial decree of October 18, 1810, abolishing all the judicial colleges, the Hof van Holland was extinguished on March 1, 1811, when the new Imperial Court was installed.
The stadtholder had both judicial and administrative powers. As a judge, he had to oversee the proper administration of justice. As an administrator, he was responsible for renewing the law in the cities and convening the States.
In 1445, the office of president was also created. This new office was supposed to function alongside or in the absence of the stadtholder. However, the president's appointment was met with great resistance and was discontinued in 1448. From the Instruction of 1510, however, there was a president again, who functioned alongside the stadtholder. In the absence of the stadtholder, the president took care of his duties, for instance in the consultation with the States of Holland.
In the 15th century, the Hof van Holland was composed of eight to nine "raadsheren" (councillors). This number increased to 12 in the Instruction of 1510. Of these 12, six were considered ordinary councillors, and the other six were "commissarissen" (commissioners), who were expected to gather information and carry out investigations. In the following centuries, this division remained fundamentally unchanged.
In addition to the college of councillors, the "griffier" (clerk) was a central figure of the Hof van Holland. The "griffier" was mainly responsible for the administration of the Court. His duties were increasingly expanded in successive Instructions, including registering, maintaining, and preparing documents.
Two other important officials were the "procureur-generaal" (attorney general) and the "advocaat-fiscaal" (fiscal advocate). In 1520, it was decided to combine these two offices to grant them more authority and importance. In addition, the then reinforced office of the "procureur-generaal" received new powers and was allowed to be present during the deliberations of the councillors.
While the Hoge Raad van Holland, Zeeland en West-Friesland (Supreme Council of Holland, Zeeland and West Friesland) was permanently abolished during the Batavian Revolution in 1795, the Hof van Holland continued to exist as a provincial court of justice. In 1798, it was renamed Hof van Justitie van Holland en Zeeland (Court of Justice of Holland and Zeeland). The state regulation of 1801 established a new Nationaal Gerechtshof (National Court of Justice), which served as the Court of appeal for all provinces of the Batavian Republic.
After the imperial decree of October 18, 1810, abolishing all the judicial colleges, the Hof van Holland was extinguished on March 1, 1811, when the new Imperial Court was installed.
Access points: locations
Access points: persons, families
Access points: corporate bodies
Access points: subject terms
Access points: document types
System of arrangement
The fonds is divided by document types. Internally, series are organised chronologically.
Access, restrictions
A number of documents are in poor material condition and are therefore not available for public consultation.
Links to finding aids
Author of the description
Kevin Soares, 2022
Bibliography
Linked resources
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|---|---|---|
| Nationaal Archief | Collections (official language of the state) |