# Maurice of Nassau — The First Sir Percy character guide > Maurice of Nassau in The First Sir Percy by Baroness Orczy. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Maurice, Prince Maurice **First appearance:** 0000-i-a-night-on-the-veluwe ## Snapshot The Stadtholder of the Dutch Republic, whose presence at a double wedding lends the day its highest honour — and whose life is the prize a conspiracy means to claim. ## Who they are Maurice of Nassau sits enthroned at the wedding feast, the political sun around which every guest orbits, deferential and watched. He is the target of Stoutenburg's vengeance, a prince whose death would hand the Netherlands to Spain, and he lingers at the Beresteyn house to lend his own physician to a fallen stranger. His presence turns a private celebration into a stage for treason. ## Relationships ### [The Stadtholder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/characters/the_stadtholder) _family_ Maurice of Nassau is a relative and military ally of the Stadtholder, supporting his cause. ### [Lord Stoutenburg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/characters/lord_stoutenburg) _rivalry_ Stoutenburg views Maurice of Nassau as an obstacle and enemy in his quest for power. ### [Lord Stoutenburg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/characters/lord_stoutenburg) _rivalry_ Stoutenburg views Maurice of Nassau as an obstacle and enemy in his quest for power. ### [The Stadtholder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/characters/the_stadtholder) _family_ Maurice of Nassau is a relative and military ally of the Stadtholder, supporting his cause. ### [The Stadtholder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/characters/the_stadtholder) _family_ Maurice of Nassau is a relative and military ally of the Stadtholder, supporting his cause. ### [Lord Stoutenburg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/characters/lord_stoutenburg) _rivalry_ Stoutenburg views Maurice of Nassau as an obstacle and enemy in his quest for power. ## In the story ### [A Night on the Veluwe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/i-a-night-on-the-veluwe) The Stadtholder, target of Stoutenburg's assassination plot. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/iii) Prince of Nassau, Stadtholder of the United Provinces, whose future is tied to the events at the windmill. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/iv) Target of Stoutenburg's assassination plot; Stoutenburg plans to poison him. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/i) The Stadtholder attends the wedding, appearing aged and moody but still commanding respect for his past military victories. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/vi) Approves of Diogenes's plan, reassures the guests, and gives the signal for departure. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/i) Postpones his departure at Diogenes' request; retires to a private room with Mynheer Beresteyn and other guests. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/v) Mentored the troops under Marquet and De Keysere; referenced as a great captain. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/i) The Stadtholder who decides to go to Amersfoort in person, exposing himself to danger, and sends Nicolaes ahead with orders. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/ii) Mentioned as the Stadtholder; he delivers the news of the Spanish advance. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/iii) The Stadtholder, moody and fretful, announces the failure of his messenger and orders the evacuation of Amersfoort. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/iii) Present as the Stadtholder; mentioned in the context of the Stadtholder's identity. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/iv) The Stadtholder, mounts his horse after being shielded by Nicolaes, invites Diogenes to come to Utrecht, but leaves after the stabbing. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/iv) The Stadtholder, whose horse becomes restive and bolts after a pistol shot. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/v) Prince of Orange, helpless on a runaway horse heading toward Spanish outposts. ### [Mala Fides](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/ix-mala-fides) Mentioned as the intended target of the failed capture; his escape is reported. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/i) Mentioned as the intended target of the failed capture, which was thwarted by the Englishman. ### [XV: The Molen on the Veluwe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/xv-the-molen-on-the-veluwe) The target of Stoutenburg's ambush; his expected arrival at the molen is awaited. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/v) The target of the ambush; his expected arrival is awaited. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/characters/maurice_of_nassau - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/characters