ABSTRACT
The states party consisted of federalists with a medieval conception of the state, whereas the princes of Orange hankered after unity and tried their hand at modern state building. Even so, the modernism of the princes of Orange was tainted by the fact that like the Dutch state they owed their existence and their position to the medievalist revolt of the sixteenth century, and to conceptions that were bound to circumscribe their activities. The princes of Orange were themselves influenced by the conception of a higher national synthesis. The princes carefully adhered to the pattern of conduct laid down by prince Maurice in his campaign against Van Oldenbarnevelt. The close friends who belonged to their camarilla encouraged and even inspired the propaganda campaigns of preachers, pamphleteers and rumourmongers, while the princes kept aloof from the rough and tumble of political agitation.
