The Anglo-Dutch favourite : the career of Hans Willem Bentinck, 1st Earl of Portland (1649-1709)

William III, the main opponent of William III, surrounded himself with a small circle of confidants who played an important role in advising him. The most prominent among these was undoubtedly Hans Willem Bentinck, 1st Earl of Portland (1649-1709). This thesis analyses Portland's career within the context of three historiographical debates. The first is the tendency of British historians now to connect the histories of the three British Kingdoms, within an international context. The second is the recent interest in the phenomenon of the favourite as a pivotal figure in 17th century state-build... Mehr ...