Browse all episodes of The Story of The Netherlands

Hunters and Farmers

Romans and Batavi

Frisians and Franks

Knights and Counts

Plague and Preachers

Privateers and Merchants

Patriots and Royalists

Liberators and Occupiers

Episode 1

Geuzen and Papen

Pioneers and Paupers

Daan Schuurmans talks about the origins of the Orange dynasty. With the marriage of Count Engelbrecht of Nassau to the Dutch Johanna van Polanen, the German Nassau family set foot on Dutch soil for the first time. More than a century later, descendant Willem received the title Prince of Orange thanks to an inheritance. This William of Orange-Nassau wants to strengthen his position by marrying the Protestant Anne of Saxony. But that gets him into big trouble with his ruler, the Spanish king Philip the Second.

When two faiths share a pillow

After the murder of William of Orange, the role of the Nassaus in the Netherlands seems to have ended. His inheritance sows division within the family and a battle erupts over who can call himself the rightful successor of the Father of the Fatherland: eldest son Philip Willem or the younger Maurits?

Out of sight out of mind

In the 17th century, the Oranges were at the height of their power and prestige. One woman plays an important role in this: Amalia van Solms. This Orange Lady is committed to the survival of the dynasty and the image of the family.

A dance for the throne

In Friesland, the Nassau-Dietz family continued the Orange Line after the death of King-Stadholder William the Third. From Leeuwarden they try to match the name and fame of their Orange predecessors and obtain the governorship over the whole of the Netherlands.

Of good name and fame

Due to revolution and wars at the beginning of the 19th century, the Oranges fled and lost everything: the governorship, their possessions and even the Netherlands. But not their English and German family ties. The Orange seem to have been forgotten in the Netherlands for a long time when, thanks to their international contacts, they returned to the highest position ever in the Netherlands in 1813. With King William I on the throne.

King of the world

The power of the Orange Kings slowly but surely crumbles in the nineteenth century. A new constitution gives parliament more power at the expense of the king. Much to the frustration of King Willem III, who is doing everything he can to turn the tide. Because what is a king without power?

King Gorilla

The Oranje-Nassau family consists of only two members: Queen Wilhelmina and Princess Juliana. If Juliana does not provide offspring, the dynasty will cease to exist. The relief is great when a marriage partner is found in the person of Bernhard zur Lippe Biesterfeld. Can this German prince save the House of Orange?

The monarchy in distress

The Oranje-Nassau family has become an indispensable part of the Netherlands. For centuries they have played a significant role in our history, right at the center of power, in good times and in bad. Will the Oranjes continue to color our history in the future?

In the name of Orange

Episode 2

Episode 3

Episode 4

The Story of the Netherlands tells the story of the country we live in, from the moment the first inhabitants settled there. Never before has our history, and how it has made us who we are today, been made tangible in this way. The project consists of a 10-part television series for NPO 1, with Daan Schuurmans as narrator.

All Episodes of The Story of The Netherlands

Season 1

Hunters and Farmers

Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 2/2/2022

Romans and Batavi

Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 2/9/2022

Frisians and Franks

Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 2/16/2022

Knights and Counts

Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 2/23/2022

Plague and Preachers

Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 3/2/2022

Privateers and Merchants

Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 3/23/2022

Patriots and Royalists

Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 3/30/2022

Liberators and Occupiers

Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 4/13/2022

Geuzen and Papen

Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 3/9/2022

Pioneers and Paupers

Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 4/6/2022