Westerpark in Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe

Elselina van Houweningen

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, November 2, 2022

1. Elselina van Houweningen Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Elselina van Houweningen ?- 1681

Dienstmeisje bij Hugo de Groot en Maria van Reigersberch. Ze hielp bij zijn ontsnapping in een boekenkist uit Slot Loevestein.

(English translation:)

Elselina van Houweningen served as a maid for Hugo de Groot and Maria van Reigersberch. She assisted in his escape in a book chest from Loevestein Castle.

Erected by Geef Straten Een Gezicht.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • Women. In addition, it is included in the Give Streets a Face / Geef Straten Een Gezicht series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1681.

Location. 52° 22.358′ N, 4° 52.219′ E. Marker is in Amsterdam, Noord-Holland (North Holland). It is in Westerpark. Marker is at the intersection of Van Houweningenstraat and Hugo de Grootkade, on the right when traveling north on Van Houweningenstraat. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Van Houweningenstraat 86I, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland 1052 LX, Netherlands. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this

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marker. Hugo de Groot (about 180 meters away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Hugo de Groot (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Frederik Hendrik van Oranje (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Gillis van Ledenberch (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); a different marker also named Hugo de Groot (approx. half a kilometer away); Korte Blekersstraat (approx. half a kilometer away); Willem de Zwijger / William the Silent (approx. half a kilometer away); Tolbrugstraat / Toll Bridge Street (approx. half a kilometer away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Amsterdam.

Regarding Elselina van Houweningen. Note that her street, Van Houweningenstraat, intersects that of her employer, Hugo de Groot (Grotius) - Hugo de Grootkade.

Also see . . . Elselina van Houwening (Wikipedia).

Excerpt: Elselina van Houwening, or Elsje van Houwing (buried March 8, 1681) was the maid who helped in the escape of Hugo Grotius from Loevestein Castle in a book chest. In 1619, when van Houwening was a maid for Hugo Grotius and Maria van Reigersberch in The Hague, Grotius was accused of treason and imprisoned in Loevestein Castle. She accompanied her employer in his confinement. Together with Grotius and his wife, a plan was
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, November 2, 2022

2. Elselina van Houweningen Marker - wide view
hatched to smuggle Grotius out of the castle in a chest meant to be filled with books. Van Houwening played an active role in the implementation of the plan. She accompanied the chest on the boat trip on the Merwede and made sure that it was delivered to a friendly address in Gorinchem.

(Submitted on November 28, 2022.)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 28, 2022, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 62 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 28, 2022, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.