What is Johan van Oldebarneveldt famous for?

Answer 1

Johan van Oldenbarneveldt was a 16th century leader in Holland. He played an instrumetnal role in the War of Independence from Spain, and later did much to hold the United Provinces (the Netherlands, much broader than just Holland, which is a small but important part of the country). He became the second most important man in the country, after the Staatholder (a post which evolved into the kingship). When religious tensions arose between strict Calvinists and more tolerant ones, the Staatholder took the former side and van Oldenbarneveldt the latter, for which he was executed. When his sons participated in a plot against the Staatholder, one was caught and executed and the other escaped to the American colony of New Amersterdam.