Amsterdam (pp 587–598)

In June 1685, Eliza prepares to flee Amsterdam for Paris under the protection of French agents while the city reels from political plots and financial instability.

“cancaniers” — A French term for gossips or scandal-mongers. Stephenson’s annotation: ‘A cancanier is a gossip.’

“the invasion fleet that sailed for England, from Texel, the other day, flying the Duke of Monmouth’s colors” — This refers to the launch of the Monmouth Rebellion, an attempt by Protestant rebels to depose the Catholic King James II. The fleet departed from the Dutch island of Texel, a major anchorage for the Dutch East India Company.

“the feral mob of Orangist patriots” — Orangism was a political movement in the Dutch Republic that sought to vest more power in the House of Orange-Nassau. They were often at violent odds with the “States” faction of wealthy merchant-regents.

“the comte d’Avaux and he kissed hers” — Jean-Antoine de Mesmes, Comte d’Avaux, was a premier French diplomat. As Louis XIV’s ambassador to the Hague, he operated an extensive spy network to monitor William of Orange and influence Dutch politics.

“through the Exchange, which was as good a place as any to lose pursuers” — The Amsterdam Stock Exchange, or Beurs van Hendrick de Keyser, was the first formal stock exchange in the world. Its crowded, chaotic floor was the epicenter of 17th-century global finance.

“recent crash of V.O.C. stock” — The Dutch East India Company (VOC) was the world’s first megacorporation. Because its shares were the most widely traded security in Amsterdam, fluctuations in VOC value could destabilize the entire Dutch economy.

“Arnold Joost van Keppel,” he explained curtly, “page to the Prince of Orange.” — Arnold Joost van Keppel was a young nobleman who became the closest confidant and favorite of William of Orange. He eventually followed William to England, where he was created the Earl of Albemarle.

“William, Prince of Orange, Stadholder, Admiral-General, and Captain-General of the United Provinces” — William III of Orange held these titles as the executive head of the Dutch Republic. He was the most persistent and effective adversary of French expansionism in Europe.

“save that the Elector has a palace there.” — Frederick William, Elector of Brandenburg, known as the “Great Elector,” was the ruler who laid the foundations for the future Prussian state. He was a key Protestant ally against the French.

“In fact, the Regents of Amsterdam were plotting with your friend d’Avaux” — The Regenten were the urban merchant-oligarchs who ruled Dutch cities. They frequently collaborated with the French to protect their trade interests, often in direct opposition to the military ambitions of the House of Orange.

“Louis is not like us—he does not trifle with reasons. He is a reason.” — Louis XIV, the “Sun King,” transformed France into the dominant absolute monarchy of Europe. His reign was defined by the concept of L’État, c’est moi (“I am the state”).

“for fear of French dragoons” — Dragoons were mounted infantrymen. Louis XIV famously used them in the “Dragonnades” to persecute Huguenots (French Protestants), billeting the soldiers in their homes to force conversions to Catholicism.

“Louis wants to enslave all of Christendom.” — This reflects the 17th-century fear of Universal Monarchy, the theory that one nation (France) was seeking total hegemony over the European continent.

“but he’s no John Churchill.” — John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, was a brilliant English military strategist. Though currently serving James II, he would later become the primary general for the Grand Alliance against Louis XIV.

“you learned this and many other practices in the Harim of the Sultan” — The Imperial Harem in Constantinople was the secluded living quarters for the Sultan’s wives, concubines, and female relatives. Eliza’s early life as a captive in the Ottoman Empire provides her with unique insights into power and commerce.

“grabbed a handful of kienspans” — A kienspan is a thin splinter of resinous pine wood. Before the widespread use of cheap candles or lamps, these were burned as a primary source of light in European households and mines.

Original annotations by: bornstein