William Brewstersteeg
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William Brewstersteeg 1
2311 NE LEIDEN Plan your route to William Brewstersteeg
When the Pilgrims lived in Leiden, this alley was called Stinksteeg (Stinky Alley). William Brewster lived here and had his printing shop here.
Next to Brewstersteeg, the building (no. 15) where William Brewster's printing press stood still stands. A plaque commemorating this printing house has been placed in the wall above the entrance to William Brewstersteeg, in Pieterskerkchoorsteeg. The plaque is a memorial to “The Pilgrim Press,” where dissident books against the English king James were printed. At the risk of severe punishment, these books were smuggled into England. “The Pilgrim Press” even caused a diplomatic row between England and Holland.
Text on the plaque:
“The General Association of Descendants of Mayflower Passengers on the occasion of their first pilgrimage, 152 men by plane, to the Netherlands and England, September 22 - October 8, 1966, 135 years after the departure of the Mayflower.”
Today, the building houses a daycare center.