Even though Grotius was back in Paris and now appointed as Sweden’s ambassador to France, he still longed for the Republic and news from friends there. The Dutch playwright Joost van den Vondel was a regular correspondent – Vondel was a Mennonite and even though Grotius had been somewhat critical of the Mennonite community at times, the men had developed a strong friendship, based on their shared interest in poetry and drama, from the early 1600s. Vondel was also inspired by Grotius’ position on religious tolerance and in 1637, had dedicated his most famous play Gysbreght van Aemstel to his friend – a daring move given Grotius’ continued notoriety in the Republic. This letter gives a valuable insight into their friendship: Vondel’s tone is affectionate and he writes that he will welcome Grotius’ wife Maria during her stay in Amsterdam in 1639.
Joost van den Vondel to Grotius, letter, 9 September 1639 [PAP 2]