Historical
and Commemorative Medals
Collection of Benjamin Weiss
ON THE CONFEDERATION OF THE SEVEN
NORTHERN PROVINCES OF THE NETHERLANDS DADLER, Sebastian: Netherlands, 1651, Silver, 65 mm This medal ratifies the confederation of the seven
provinces of the Netherlands after the
death of William II of Nassau-Orange.
The provinces of the republic were Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Gelre,
Overijssel, Friesland and Groningen. Each province was governed by the
Provincial States and by a stadtholder. In theory, the stadtholders were
elected and subordinate to the States-General. However, the princes of
Orange-Nassau were chosen as stadtholders of most of the provinces. There
was a constant power struggle between the Orangists, who supported the
stadtholders, and the Regent's supporters. After the Peace of Westphalia
several border territories were assigned to the United Provinces. William II, Prince of Orange (1626-1650), was stadtholder of several Dutch
provinces. In 1641 he married Mary, daughter of Charles I of England. He was
succeeded by his son
William III
(1650-1702) of Orange. In 1677, William III of Orange married Mary,
daughter of James, Duke of York (the future James II of England). This
couple later ruled jointly as William (III) and Mary (II) of England
following the Glorious Revolution. LINK to
History of
the Dutch Republic (from wikipedia) |
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