Luctor et Emergo : territorial sovereignty as contested paradigm in the United Provinces

This study challenges the traditional static relationship between territory and sovereignty, revealing that sovereignty in the Dutch Republic was dynamic and fluid. It argues that the notion of territorial sovereignty, which emerged during the revolt against Spain, does not align with the sociopolitical framework of the newly established Republic. The research examines key events such as the Union of Utrecht, the Act of Abjuration, and the drainage of Lake Beemster, alongside celebratory depictions like the Siege of Leiden, to support this argument. By analyzing these moments, the study offers a nuanced understanding of how sovereignty was practiced and contested in Dutch history.

Pischedda, L. E. (2026). Luctor et Emergo : territorial sovereignty as contested paradigm in the United Provinces. Intellectual History Review, 36(1), 173–193. https://doi.org/10.1080/17496977.2026.2613318