The year 1620 was marked by the sudden death in June of William Lewis, the Stadholder of Friesland.  His loss was much deplored by Maurice, who had for years been accustomed to rely upon the tried experience and sound judgment of his cousin both in peace and war.  A few months earlier (March) Louise de Coligny had died at Fontainebleau.  She too had been from his youth the wise adviser of her step-son, but she was deeply grieved at the fate of Oldenbarneveldt, and after his execution left the Netherlands to take up her residence in her native country.  By the death of William Lewis the two stadholderates of Groningen with Drente and of Friesland became vacant.  Maurice succeeded to that of Groningen, but the Frieslanders remained faithful to the house of Nassau-Siegen and elected Ernest Casimir, the younger brother of William Lewis, as their stadholder.

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CHAPTER X

FROM THE END OF THE TWELVE YEARS’ TRUCE TO THE PEACE OF MUENSTER (1621-48).  THE STADHOLDERATE OF FREDERICK HENRY OF ORANGE

Civil disturbances and religious persecutions were not the only causes of anxiety to the political leaders in the United Provinces during the crisis of 1618-19; foreign affairs were also assuming a menacing aspect.  The year 1618 saw the opening in Germany of the Thirty Years’ War.  The acceptance of the Crown of Bohemia by Frederick, Elector Palatine, meant that the long-delayed struggle for supremacy between Catholics and Protestants was to be fought out; and it was a struggle which neither Spain nor the Netherlands could watch with indifference.  Maurice was fully alive to the necessity of strengthening the defences of the eastern frontier; and subsidies were granted by the States-General to Frederick and also to some of the smaller German princes.  This support would have been larger, but the unexpected refusal of James I to give aid to his son-in-law made the Dutch doubtful in their attitude.  The States, though friendly, were unwilling to commit themselves.  In the spring of 1620, however, by James’ permission, the English regiments in the Dutch service under the command of Sir Horace Vere were sent to oppose Spinola’s invasion of the Rhineland.  Accompanied by a Dutch force under Frederick Henry, they reached the Palatinate, but it was too late.  The fate of the King of Bohemia was soon to be decided elsewhere than in his hereditary dominions.  Completely defeated at the battle of Prague, Frederick with his wife and family fled to Holland to seek the protection of their cousin, the Prince of Orange.  They met with the most generous treatment at his hands, and they were for many years to make the Hague the home of their exile.

As the date at which the Twelve Years’ Truce came to an end drew near, some efforts were made to avert war.  There were advocates of peace in the United Provinces, especially in Gelderland and Overyssel, the two provinces most exposed to invasion.