Tragedy at Muiderslot Castle

The play Geeraerdt van Velsen tells the dramatic story surrounding the murder of Count Floris V. What is it about and what is the role of the Muiderslot?

The lead role in the drama is for Geeraerdt van Velsen, the man who will kill Count Floris V. In the play, Floris is not a hero, but a ruler who abuses his power. Geeraerdt addresses him on this, but becomes blinded by anger and revenge himself. This has major consequences. Just when Floris comes to his senses in the dungeons of the Muiderslot, he is murdered. Thus Hooft shows how dangerous revenge can be, even if it begins with righteous anger.

To make the story work well on stage, Hooft uses every means at his disposal. There is singing and fighting. Revenge goddesses come ashore from the Zuiderzee with ominous prophecies. Halfway through, a magician, living in a moldy oak near Muiderberg, summons a spirit to show the future. At the end, even the river Vecht is given a voice. She predicts war, but also a better time to come afterwards.

The play became a hit in Amsterdam theaters. With Geeraerdt van Velsen, Hooft shows how a play in the Dutch language can be grand and compelling. His writing style is widely imitated and has had a great influence on the Dutch stage.

The story is set at the Muiderslot. P.C. Hooft was the first Dutch playwright directly inspired by the past. Because he lived at the Muiderslot, Hooft was well acquainted with the immediate surroundings of the former castle of Floris V. After all, it stood on the same spot as the Muiderslot. According to tradition, Floris V was murdered not far from his castle, near Muiden.