Reinforcements also came from England.
[Sidenote: Revolution] By this time the revolt had become a veritable revolution.

It found its battle hymn in the Wilhelmuslied and its Washington in William of Orange.

As all the towns of Holland save Amsterdam were in his hands, in June the provincial Estates met--albeit illegally, for there was no one authorized to convene them--assumed sovereign power and made William their Stat-holder.

They voted large taxes and forced loans from rich citizens, and raised money from the sale of prizes taken at sea.

All defect in prescriptive and legal power was made up by the popularity of the prince, deeply loved by all classes, not only on account of his affability to all, even the humblest, but still more because of confidence in his ability.