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The radical amendments to its statutes in 2006 notwithstanding, the Teutonic Order Bailiwick of Utrecht is still defined by its Protestant outlook and its roots in ancient nobility, an identity that dates back nearly four centuries. Between 1615 and 1640, despite having remained Catholic over a remarkably long period, it had broken with the central order in Germany, becoming an institution for Reformed, married noblemen. The admission requirements were four noble quarters and membership of the Reformed church. In this way, the order fitted seamlessly within the structures of the Dutch Republic. In the revolutionary period after 1795, the order sought to survive by keeping a low profile. In 1811 Napoleon dissolved the Bailiwick. After the restoration of Dutch independence, this measure was reversed by King William I. In the new kingdom, adherence to the old admission criteria demarcated the old nobility not only from the new aristocracy, but also from the old Catholic nobility in the South. After the rupture of the kingdom in 1830 and the introduction of the liberal constitution in 1848 – which introduced a parliamentary system, abolished the rights of the aristocracy and brought equality of religions – the Protestant nobility assumed a leading role in the defence of traditional values. Into this picture fits the reinforced Protestant identity of the Bailiwick of Utrecht. In the twentieth century, this identity expressed itself through the increasing importance of its donations policy.

The radical amendments to its statutes in 2006 notwithstanding, the Teutonic Order Bailiwick of Utrecht is still defined by its Protestant outlook and its roots in ancient nobility, an identity that dates back nearly four centuries. Between 1615 and 1640, despite having remained Catholic over a remarkably long period, it had broken with the central order in Germany, becoming an institution for Reformed, married noblemen. The admission requirements were four noble quarters and membership of the Reformed church. In this way, the order fitted seamlessly within the structures of the Dutch Republic. In the revolutionary period after 1795, the order sought to survive by keeping a low profile. In 1811 Napoleon dissolved the Bailiwick. After the restoration of Dutch independence, this measure was reversed by King William I. In the new kingdom, adherence to the old admission criteria demarcated the old nobility not only from the new aristocracy, but also from the old Catholic nobility in the South. After the rupture of the kingdom in 1830 and the introduction of the liberal constitution in 1848 – which introduced a parliamentary system, abolished the rights of the aristocracy and brought equality of religions – the Protestant nobility assumed a leading role in the defence of traditional values. Into this picture fits the reinforced Protestant identity of the Bailiwick of Utrecht. In the twentieth century, this identity expressed itself through the increasing importance of its donations policy.

A successful reorganization. The Teutonic Order Bailiwick of Utrecht, 1753–1795In 1753 the newly elected coadjutor of the Teutonic Order Bailiwick of Utrecht, Unico Wilhelm Count van Wassenaer van Twickel, analyzed the state of the order, being a total chaos after a long period of decay. After he was commissioned by the other members to make a plan for improvement, Van Wassenaer managed to implement a reorganization that was highly successful. It was based on a rational management of the possessions by a professional steward, concentration of supervision at the land commanderie in Utrecht, a reduced role of the members and automatic succession of the land commander after his death by the coadjutor to prevent an interregnum as between 1751 and 1753. According to new rules, Van Wassenaer became land commander in 1761 and finished the reorganization during his time in office. After his death in 1766 his successor followed his course. The competent steward Gijsbert Dirk Cazius managed to turn the deficits into increasing surpluses, making the Baliwick of Utrecht an organization that was financially robust by the time it was threatened by the French Revolution. In the success of his financial policy Cazius, who worked closely together with the land commanders he served, was helped by the economic developments: the rising prices of agricultural products enabled farmers to pay higher rents that were collected punctually by the steward. In its rational and utilitarian character the reorganization seems to breeze the spirit of the Enlightenment, but the emphasis on noble ancestors and Reformed confession as prerequisites for membership make the Bailiwick of Utrecht a typical institution of the Ancien Regime. However, the realized plans of Van Wassenaer led the Baliwick out of a desperate state and played a crucial role in the survival to the present day.

A successful reorganization. The Teutonic Order Bailiwick of Utrecht, 1753–1795In 1753 the newly elected coadjutor of the Teutonic Order Bailiwick of Utrecht, Unico Wilhelm Count van Wassenaer van Twickel, analyzed the state of the order, being a total chaos after a long period of decay. After he was commissioned by the other members to make a plan for improvement, Van Wassenaer managed to implement a reorganization that was highly successful. It was based on a rational management of the possessions by a professional steward, concentration of supervision at the land commanderie in Utrecht, a reduced role of the members and automatic succession of the land commander after his death by the coadjutor to prevent an interregnum as between 1751 and 1753. According to new rules, Van Wassenaer became land commander in 1761 and finished the reorganization during his time in office. After his death in 1766 his successor followed his course. The competent steward Gijsbert Dirk Cazius managed to turn the deficits into increasing surpluses, making the Baliwick of Utrecht an organization that was financially robust by the time it was threatened by the French Revolution. In the success of his financial policy Cazius, who worked closely together with the land commanders he served, was helped by the economic developments: the rising prices of agricultural products enabled farmers to pay higher rents that were collected punctually by the steward. In its rational and utilitarian character the reorganization seems to breeze the spirit of the Enlightenment, but the emphasis on noble ancestors and Reformed confession as prerequisites for membership make the Bailiwick of Utrecht a typical institution of the Ancien Regime. However, the realized plans of Van Wassenaer led the Baliwick out of a desperate state and played a crucial role in the survival to the present day.

Performances of Peace: Utrecht 1713 aims to rethink the significance of the Peace of Utrecht (1713) by exploring the nexus between culture and politics. This book is available in Open Access. Readership: All interested in eighteenth century studies, in particular cultural, political and literary historians.

Die Historische Friedensforschung ist angesichts der vielgestaltigen Konflikte der gegenwärtigen Staatenwelt gefragter denn je. Gerade die Epoche der Frühen Neuzeit bietet aufgrund ihrer auffällig hohen Kriegsdichte zahlreiche Anknüpfungspunkte zur Erforschung der Frage, wie in der Vergangenheit konkret versucht wurde, Frieden herzustellen.Zwar sind zentrale Aspekte frühneuzeitlicher Friedensstiftung, wie Friedenskongresse und -verträge, Verhandlungstechniken oder Friedensdenken, in der neueren Geschichtswissenschaft bereits intensiv analysiert worden. In zweiter Reihe stand bislang allerdings die landesgeschichtliche Verortung der erzielten Befunde. Angesichts des defizitären Forschungsstands zielt der Sammelband darauf ab, in territorial und europäisch übergreifender Weise die Potenziale einer Verbindung landesgeschichtlicher Fragestellungen mit der Historischen Friedensforschung aufzuzeigen.