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Paulus van de Perre
Paulus van de Perre.jpg
Portrait of Paulus van der Perre by Karel Slabbaert
Born 1598
Died 14 December 1653(1653-12-14) (aged 54–55)
Nationality Dutch Republic

Paulus van de Perre (born around 1598 in Middelburg, died December 14, 1653, in London) was an important Dutch politician and diplomat. He helped negotiate a peace treaty, the Treaty of Westminster (1654), between the Dutch Republic and England. He met with England's leader, Oliver Cromwell, to work out the agreement.

Life and Early Career of Paulus van de Perre

Paulus van de Perre was the son of Adriaan van de Perre and Adriana Dircx Hayman. We are not sure exactly when or where he was born. He spent most of his life in Middelburg. This city was the capital of the province of Zeeland in the Dutch Republic.

Paulus van de Perre married Clara Teelinck. They had one son and two daughters together. He held many important jobs in his city. He was a schepen, which was like a city council member or judge. He also served as a burgemeester, similar to a mayor. Another role he had was pensionary, a legal advisor to the city.

He represented Middelburg in the States of Zeeland. This was the main government body for his home province. He also represented his city in the States-General of the Netherlands. This was the highest government body for the entire Dutch Republic. In 1652, he was a leader at the Latin school in Middelburg.

Diplomacy and the Anglo-Dutch War

Paulus van de Perre studied law and became a lawyer. He is best known for his work as a diplomat. He played a big part in the relationship between the Dutch Republic and England. At this time, England was known as the Commonwealth of England.

In 1651, he traveled to England with two other Dutch diplomats. These were Jacob Cats and Gerard Pietersz. Schaep. Their goal was to talk with the English government. They wanted to renew an old trade agreement from 1496. They also hoped to stop a new English law called the Navigation Act. This law made it harder for Dutch ships to trade.

These talks did not go well. They ended on July 10, 1652. The First Anglo-Dutch War had already started before the talks finished. This war began with a naval fight between Dutch Admiral Maarten Tromp and English Admiral Blake.

Negotiating for Peace

In 1653, both the Dutch and English governments decided to try for peace again. Paulus van de Perre was chosen to be part of the Dutch team once more. He represented his home province of Zeeland. Other important diplomats included Hieronymus van Beverningh and Willem Nieupoort from Holland. Allart Pieter van Jongestall represented Friesland.

The Dutch diplomats sailed to London on a ship called "Den Swarten Arendt." They arrived on June 30, 1653. During the peace talks, Van de Perre strongly supported the Prince of Orange. He also supported the Dutch West India Company (W.I.C.). This was different from some of his fellow diplomats from Holland.

His Final Days

Paulus van de Perre suddenly passed away on December 14, 1653, in London. His body was prepared and sent back to Zeeland. It traveled on a ship called "St. Peter" in late December 1653. He even had a special pass to get through the English blockade of the Dutch coast.

He was buried in the Old Saint Peter's Church in Middelburg. His tomb shows his family's special symbol, called a coat-of-arms.

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