The trouble with the 17th century is that the clothes are so ridiculous it is hard to take events seriously. Men in silly hats and long drawers translated the Bible into English, executed a king [and managed a highly destructive series of civil wars]*, and managed a rather peaceful invasion from Europe and takeover of England by the Dutch crown, while others around the world were busy murdering one another over religion.
*edited to avoid misunderstanding. I wasn’t suggesting the UK and the Netherlands were better than other places.
