The constitution, or catalogue of conditions, by which the sovereignty accorded to Anjou was reduced to such narrow limits as to be little more than a nominal authority, while the power remained in the hands of the representative body of the provinces, will be described, somewhat later, together with the inauguration of the Duke.

For the present it is necessary that the reader should fully understand the relative position of the Prince and of the northern provinces.

The memorable act of renunciation--the Netherland declaration of independence--will then be briefly explained.
On the 29th of March, 1580, a resolution passed the assembly of Holland and Zealand never to make peace or enter into any negotiations with the King of Spain on the basis of his sovereignty.

The same resolution provided that his name--hitherto used in all public acts--should be for ever discarded, that his seal should be broken, and that the name and seal of the Prince of Orange should be substituted in all commissions and public documents.

At almost the same time the states of Utrecht passed a similar resolution.