The 17th century was a time of dramatic change and upheaval, and nowhere was this more evident than in the Dutch Republic. This book explores the rise of the Dutch Golden Age, a period of unprecedented prosperity and cultural flourishing, intertwined with intense rivalries and devastating wars. From the Anglo-Dutch naval conflicts to the dramatic Rampjaar (Disaster Year) of 1672, discover how these events shaped the destiny of a nation and left a lasting legacy on the world.