We've all had boring history lessons in the past where your eyes nearly closed during the teacher's endless chatter. For me, my last high school history lesson is now (or only, depending on how you look at it) a little over ten years ago. However, in recent weeks, I've been looking forward to the history lesson on TV every Wednesday, which is: The Story of the Netherlands: Oranje Nassau. What a great way to tell stories from the past that the makers of this show have found.
For anyone who missed the hype: In this show, presenter Dan Schurmans takes you through the history of the Netherlands. The first season appeared in 2022 and was about ten periods in the history of the Netherlands. The first series was very educational, and the second season – which revolves around our royal family, from William of Orange to King Willem-Alexander – is absolutely fantastic.
As you hear Dan talk, you see actors playing iconic figures from Orange's history. In this way, Thomas Cammaert takes on the role of William of Orange. The actors don't say a word, but they still show you how it all happened centuries ago. Meanwhile, Dan details which member of the Orangi family has left a mark on history.
Since it's been some time since the last history test, I can say that some things have slipped. Of course I know that our “Orange” story all began with William of Orange. I also know a lot about the reign of Princess Beatrix and now King Willem-Alexander. But much of what happened between them I could not tell you at once. via The Story of the Netherlands: Oranje Nassau I can do it again. It doesn't seem like a bad idea to me to release these eight episodes as teaching materials in schools. I believe that students remember much more than when they have to read a boring and dry text. To that approach could be added the first season and, in my opinion, a third series, for example on the role of the Netherlands in the First and Second World Wars.
Thanks to the program, I now remember how many wives William of Orange had (four), that the pure line of William of Orange actually died out very quickly and that King William I became king in a rather clumsy way. The funniest fact I knew but forgot is that King Willem II was bisexual and did everything he could to hide it. In addition, it is also interesting to hear how Emma (the last wife of King William III) was at the beginning of a long period in which queens were in power in the Netherlands. I could go on listing eye-catching and special facts, but believe me: it's much more fun to watch these episodes for yourself, if you haven't already.
What I thought was a shame was that the periods when Beatrix reigned and Willem-Alexander was on the throne passed so quickly. As far as I'm concerned, our country's newest monarch could have received more attention. However, this may be possible again in about twenty years with a renewed version of the software. By then, the story of the Orange family may have begun a new chapter, when Princess Amalia becomes queen. But before future generations see what Amalia brings to the orange story, we'll have to be patient a little longer. But after seeing “The Story of Holland: Orange Nassau” it became clear: oranges have been and will continue to be an orange thread through our history. This lesson is clear to me now.
