Concessions and exceptions had become so extensive; no doubt, that the provincial charters constituted a vast body of "liberties" by which the whole country was reasonably well supplied.

At the same time, all the power not expressly granted away remained in the breast of the Count.

If ambition, then, had been William's ruling principle, he had exchanged substance for shadow, for the new state now constituted was a free commonwealth--a republic in all but name.
By the new constitution he ceased to be the source of governmental life, or to derive his own authority from above by right divine.

The sacred oil which had flowed from Charles the Simple's beard was dried up.

Orange's sovereignty was from the estates; as legal representatives of the people; and, instead of exercising all the powers not otherwise granted away, he was content with those especially conferred upon him.