The chiefs were disappearing from the scene, the heroic period of the war was over.
Europe demanded a general peace; England and Holland desired it passionately.

"I am as anxious as you for an end to be put to the war," said the Prince of Orange to the deputies from the Estates, "provided that I get out of it with honor." He refused obstinately to separate from his allies.

"It is not astonishing that the Prince of Orange does not at once give way even to things which he considers reasonable," said Charles II., "he is the son of a father and mother whose obstinacy was carried to extremes; and he resembles them in that." Meanwhile, William had just married (November 15, 1677), the Princess Mary, eldest daughter of the Duke of York and Anne Hyde.

An alliance offensive and defensive between England and Holland was the price of this union, which struck Louis XIV.

an unexpected blow.