Searching the resolutions
of the Dutch States General

‘Has been approved and understood…’ This formula was used to ratify the decisions of the States General during the era of the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands. 

In the sixteenth century, when the Dutch provinces broke away from Spain, the States General in the Hague took over from the king. For over two centuries, they had the power to decide on everything that concerned the common interests of the provinces. 

With the Goetgevonden web application, you can search all the resolutions (decisions) taken by the States General between 1576 and 1796.

In Goetgevonden you can full-text search the resolutions. A variety of search and filter options are also available. You can view the resolutions as scans or transcriptions.

Entities such as people, places and organisations are recognised in the transcriptions. These entities can be used to refine your queries. About some entities additional information is available. 

Resolutions are political decisions. They were recorded in resolution books.

During the era of the Republic of the Seven United Province, the States General were government (executive power) and parliament (legislative power) in one.

The decisions are concerned with private issues of individual citizens, but also matters of national importance.

The States General existed as an independent administrative body from 1576 to 1796. From 1588, the States General were located in The Hague. After 1593, they were permanently in session. They consisted of representatives from the seven united provinces.

Here you can read more about the origins, functioning and meeting rooms of the States General.

Goetgevonden was created by the REPUBLIC project. This project was carried out between 2019 and 2024 at the Huygens Institute for Dutch History and Culture.

The Huygens Institute worked together with various partners, such as the National Archives and the KNAW Humanities Cluster.

The project was made possible by a grant from the Dutch Research Council (NWO).