The prince at once set to work to create a patriot government in the province.

Four towns had representatives, Middelburg, Zierikzee, Veere and Flushing.

William himself acquired by purchase the marquisate of Flushing and thus was able to exercise a preponderating influence in the Provincial Estates, all of whose members were required to be Calvinists and supporters of the rebel cause.
The investment of Leyden by the Spaniards threatened however, now that Haarlem had fallen, to isolate South Holland and Zeeland; and William did not feel himself strong enough to make any serious attempt to raise the siege.

Lewis of Nassau therefore, with the help of French money, set himself to work with his usual enthusiastic energy to collect a force in the Rhineland with which to invade the Netherlands from the east and effect a diversion.

At the head of 7000 foot and 3000 horse--half-disciplined troops, partly Huguenot volunteers, partly German mercenaries--he tried to cross the Meuse above Maestricht with the intention of effecting a junction with the Prince of Orange.
He was accompanied by John and Henry of Nassau, his brothers, and Christopher, son of the Elector Palatine.