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Lloyds Bank Rotterdam, 26 aug 1988
Mr and mrs Stuart Cook
p/a Lower Farm House
Hambledon,
Surrey GU 84 HE
Engeland
Dear Ursula & Stuart,
As the story goes that England has never been invaded since the year 1066 when William, the Conqueror, determined that England was his personal property. The Dutch are tempted to believe that, when in 1688 William of Orange (married to Mary Stuart) came to England and became the king of England, our William was the second Wiliam the Conqueror.
Of course the English try to legitimise the action, because he was married to the daughter of the "boss" James II, but he remained a foreign ruler.
The tricentenary of William and Mary's adventure is celebrated as the Dutch, who shared this " Monarch of Enlightenment with the English. England prefers to celebrate this year the defeat of the Spanish Armada 400 years ago and are forgetful about the Dutch interregnum.
William and Mary introduced the formal gardens into England, which were later erased by the great destroyer Capability Brown.
Recently these gardens are being restored in England as well as in the Netherlands.
The staff of Rotterdam has the pleasure to present you with a copy of the book "The Gardens of William and Mary", sponsored by Rotterdam-branch of the Bank. You will notice "the black horse" logo on the fly leaf.
I will telephone you shortly to put myself in the picture again, since I am not aware of the latest developments.
Best regards to you both, Adriaan.
