Coenraad van Beuningen (1622-1693)
A brilliant politician
Coenraad van Beuningen was a notable figure in 17th century politics and the trading world. As a high-ranking civil servant and mayor of Amsterdam, he was an influential person, known for his astuteness and strategic insight. His period as mayor was characterized by stability and prosperity for the city, while he amassed his fortune through smart investments in the VOC. His legacy, however, includes a series of intrigues and mysteries that continue to capture the imagination to this day.
Attack and madness
In the last ten years of his life, Van Beuningen eventually lost all his fame and wealth. After a failed assassination attempt in the spring of 1684, of which he suspected Stadtholder William III , he withdrew from all his public positions. At the age of 64 he married the 18 years younger Jacoba Bartolotti, after which rumors about his strange and disturbing behavior quickly spread. He burned his belongings, tried to convert Jews to Christianity and was plagued by hallucinations during his night walks. He also speculated with VOC shares in 1688 and saw his fortune of 500,000 guilders evaporate. To top it all off, he sent letters to influential friends and authorities, talking about the end of the world. Due to concerns about his mental health and ability to care for himself, the city of Amsterdam decided that he should be placed under guardianship.
The legend: The house with the bloodstains
Ultimately, van Beuningen served his last days, locked up and heavily guarded in his house on the Amstel. During an escape attempt, he painted words, signs and drawings with his own blood on the facade of his house, giving the building its nickname the house with the bloodstains . Van Beuningen eventually died in 1693 in total poverty and Jacoba renounced his meager inheritance.
In the aftermath of his death, the only question remains: what drove Coenraad van Beuningen to his bizarre actions? And what is hidden in the mysterious box he left behind? The mystery remains unsolved, and it is up to you to unravel it. Book the city game The House with the Bloodstains.
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