Holland and Zeeland pursued a separate military and financial policy.

Alone among the provinces they were prosperous, for they had command of the rich sea-borne commerce.
The growth of republican theory kept pace with the progress of the revolt.

Orange was surrounded by men holding the free principles of Duplessis-Mornay and corresponding with him.

Dutchmen now openly voiced their belief that princes were made for the sake of their subjects and not subjects for the sake {265} of princes.

Even though they denied the equal rights of the common people they asserted the sovereignty of the representative assembly.