The trial of Henry of Brederode: Historians, sources and location under discussion in 19th-century historiography. (October 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Huistra, Pieter
• Other Names: Huistra Pieter guest-editor.; Paul Herman guest-editor.; Tollebeek Jo guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: History of the human sciences. Volume 26:Number 4(2013)
• Page Start: 50
• Page End: 66
• Publication Date: 2013-10
• Subjects: archive -- epistemic virtues -- historiographical controversy -- 19th-century historiography; Social sciences -- History -- Periodicals; 300.9
• DOI: 10.1177/0952695113500290
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0952-6951

Abstract

The Dutch historiography of the middle of the 19 th century was a culture of honour. Disputes over the reputations of historical figures were manifold. This article focuses on one controversy specifically that took place in the 1840s. The subject of debate was the 16 th -century nobleman Henry of Brederode, his deeds, his character and his morals. The controversy was not only about content, however. Many suppositions about doing history and being a historian that otherwise remain tacit, were made explicit in the controversy – especially concerning archive-based history. First, the participating historians themselves were judged – somewhat like Brederode himself – on the virtuousness, including the epistemic virtuousness, of their behaviour. Second, it was discussed whether archival documents (in this case: personal letters) were fit for use in historiography. To some, the use of these personal letters was ethically unjustifiable. Third, the location from which historical knowledge originated, mainly the archive, came under scrutiny. The singularity of the archive made historians relying on archival material prone to attacks on their trustworthiness.