In consequence of this the Dutch empire in the East became in their hands rapidly extended and consolidated, to the exclusion of all competitors.

This meant not only that the Portuguese and Spaniards were ousted from their formerly dominant position in the Orient, but that a collision with the English was inevitable.
The first governor-general, Pieter Both, had made Java the centre of administration and had established factories and posts at Bantam, Jacatra and Djapara, not without arousing considerable hostility among the local rulers, jealous of the presence of the intruders.

This hostility was fostered and encouraged by the English, whose vessels had also visited Java and had erected a trading-post close to that of the Dutch at Jacatra.

Already the spice islands had been the scene of hostile encounters between the representatives of the two nations, and had led to many altercations.

This was the state of things when Jan Pieterzoon Koen became governor-general in 1615.