States of Holland

The States of Holland and West Friesland were the representation of the three Estates (standen): Nobility, Clergy and Commons to the court of the Count of Holland. After the United Provinces were formed - and there no longer was a count, but only his "lieutenant": the stadtholder - they continued to function as the government of the County of Holland. The States of Holland were disbanded during the reforms by the Batavian Republic.

Related Topics:
Count of Holland - United Provinces - Stadtholder - County of Holland - Batavian Republic

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The States of Holland should not be confused with the States-General, or Staten-Generaal, the confederate government of the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands as a whole. Each of the Netherlands had its own States and Holland was just one of seven. Nevertheless this province was so dominant that a politician controlling the States of Holland, in fact controlled the Republic. Johan de Witt is a case in point, and Johan van Oldebarnevelt another famous example.

Related Topics:
States-General - Staten-Generaal - Johan de Witt - Johan van Oldebarnevelt

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