Tekstblad bij de spotprent op de mislukte aanslag op Oostende, 1658 1658

This is a broadside printed in Leiden by Pieter I. Bismans in 1658. It responds to the failed attack on Ostend during the Anglo-Spanish War. Broadsides like this one played a vital role in shaping public opinion in the Dutch Republic. As a relatively free press flourished, these single-sheet prints combined text and image to comment on current affairs. This one uses dialogue to satirize the key players in the conflict: Mazarin, Spintelet, the crippled messenger and the city of Ostend. The text heaps scorn on those deemed responsible for the failed assault, highlighting political rivalries and questioning leadership. It reflects a society grappling with the consequences of war and power struggles. To fully understand this broadside, we can consult archival records, political pamphlets, and other printed materials from the period. By situating the work within its specific historical context, we can gain insights into the social and political dynamics of the Dutch Republic during this turbulent time.