Erfgoed Delft

In 1566 anger about social and religious abuses erupted into the Iconoclastic Fury, thus prior to the outbreak of the Dutch Revolt. Many churches and monasteries suffered. Pictures and paintings in churches were seen by the reform minded as idolatry (image worship). In Delft the Old Church, the New Church and the Franciscan monastery were targets of destruction. The Agatha convent was sufficiently protected. But in 1572 when Delft came under rebel control, the convent's days were numbered: the States of Holland confiscated the convent. While the sisters were allowed to remain living in the complex (the last nun died around 1640), the building soon gained other functions. William of Orange took up residence here in November 1572 and in 1573 the convent chapel was taken over for use by the Walloon Reformed church. With Orange based here, the convent did in any case retain one of its former functions: the accommodation of VIPs.