Thomas Asselijn, born about 1620 at Dieppe (France) and died 1701 at Amsterdam, was a Dutch writer of comedies, the best known of which is Jan Klaasz, of Gewaande Dienstmagd (1684, 1683, 1709, 1732). This play and Kraam-bedt of kandeelmaal van Zaartje Jans (1684, 1716, 1727, 1739), and Echtscheiding van Jan Klaasz en Saartje Jans have some significance in the study of Mennonite history. "In the three parts of the Jan Klaasen trilogy we are placed among the Collegiants; to this group belonged many Mennonites, whom Asselijn—incorrectly, however—lumps together with the Quakers" (G. Kalff). The stricter groups of Mennonites are here exposed to view and their bad habits (prudishness, pretense) shown up.

Bibliography

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 1, p. 179. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

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