# The Stadtholder — The First Sir Percy character guide > The Stadtholder in The First Sir Percy by Baroness Orczy. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** V, V The Stadtholder **First appearance:** 0000-i-a-night-on-the-veluwe ## Snapshot The title borne by Prince Maurice, the Dutch Republic's ruling lord, whose authority and person are the twin objects of Stoutenburg's vengeance and Spain's ambition. ## Who they are As Stadtholder, Maurice commands the state, the army, and the deference of every burgher in Amersfoort — yet his power has made him the target of a conspiracy born from the old feud with the sons of Barneveldt. He presides over the wedding feast with princely curiosity, ordering his English physician to tend a stricken stranger. His survival or fall is the hinge on which the whole plot turns. ## Relationships ### [Gilda Beresteyn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/characters/gilda_beresteyn) _professional_ Gilda serves as a loyal and trusted confidante to the Stadtholder, often acting as his secret agent. ### [Lord Stoutenburg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/characters/lord_stoutenburg) _rivalry_ Stoutenburg is a bitter enemy of the Stadtholder, plotting his overthrow and assassination. ### [Mynheer Beresteyn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/characters/mynheer_beresteyn) _professional_ Mynheer Beresteyn is a loyal advisor and supporter of the Stadtholder in political matters. ### [Diogenes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/characters/diogenes) _friendship_ Diogenes is a roguish but loyal ally to the Stadtholder, often undertaking dangerous missions for him. ### [Burgomaster Beresteyn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/characters/burgomaster_beresteyn) _professional_ Burgomaster Beresteyn is a loyal magistrate and supporter of the Stadtholder's rule. ### [Maurice of Nassau](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/characters/maurice_of_nassau) _family_ Maurice of Nassau is a relative and military ally of the Stadtholder, supporting his cause. ### [Jan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/characters/jan) _rivalry_ Jan, as Stoutenburg's man, is an enemy of the Stadtholder and his regime. ### [Lord Stoutenburg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/characters/lord_stoutenburg) _rivalry_ Stoutenburg is a bitter enemy of the Stadtholder, plotting his overthrow and assassination. ### [Diogenes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/characters/diogenes) _friendship_ Diogenes is a roguish but loyal ally to the Stadtholder, often undertaking dangerous missions for him. ### [Mynheer Beresteyn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/characters/mynheer_beresteyn) _professional_ Mynheer Beresteyn is a loyal advisor and supporter of the Stadtholder in political matters. ### [Jan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/characters/jan) _rivalry_ Jan, as Stoutenburg's man, is an enemy of the Stadtholder and his regime. ### [Diogenes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/characters/diogenes) _friendship_ Diogenes is a roguish but loyal ally to the Stadtholder, often undertaking dangerous missions for him. ## In the story ### [The Double Wedding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/ii-the-double-wedding) Maurice of Nassau, observing Diogenes' impatience and engaging him in conversation; departs the wedding. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/ii) Walks beside Katharina in the procession; his silent mood is reflected in Nicolaes Beresteyn's face. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/iii) Falls ill after drinking wine at the feast; requires assistance and medical attention. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/iv) Suffers a sudden faintness at the window, recovers but remains moody and feverish; speaks bitterly of his own mortality. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/v) Feels ill during the feast; sympathizes with Diogenes and agrees to help him leave early. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/vi) Seen laughing at the abduction; he feels ill and tired but supports Diogenes. ### [III: The Great Interruption](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/iii-the-great-interruption) Curious about the commotion; agrees to postpone his departure and allows his English physician to attend Pythagoras; retires to a private room with Beresteyn and other guests. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/iii) He is in the adjacent room with Gilda's father and other seigneurs, discussing matters. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/iv) Waits below while Diogenes questions Pythagoras; is the target of the assassination plot. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/v) Discusses the threat to Arnheim and Nijmegen, accepts Diogenes's service, and plans to return to Utrecht. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/vi) Needs Diogenes' sword to help defend the United Provinces against the Spanish threat. ### [IV: Adder's Fork](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/iv-adder-s-fork) Departed earlier with his retinue; entrusted Diogenes with the message to Marquet. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/ii) Mentioned as the one who gave orders to Diogenes and whose life was plotted against by Stoutenburg and Nicolaes. ### [A Race for Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/v-a-race-for-life) Implied as the sender of the message Diogenes carries, with plans to frustrate the enemy crossing. ### [A Nest of Scorpions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/vi-a-nest-of-scorpions) Maurice of Nassau, looking ill and impatient; he plans to leave Amersfoort as Spanish forces approach. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/ii) Arrives secretly and angrily confronts the burgomaster and burghers about their disobedience. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/iii) Referred to as 'His Highness'; he is the central authority issuing evacuation orders and lamenting the messenger's failure. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/iv) The Stadtholder is said to be returning to camp, unable to help Amersfoort. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/vi) Ill and impatient, he demands to see the messenger and suggests sending my lord's companions to find him. ### [A Subtle Traitor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/vii-a-subtle-traitor) Initially grateful to Diogenes for saving his life, but becomes swayed by suspicion and agrees to flee to Utrecht. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/i) Initially recalls that Diogenes saved his life, but under pressure from Nicolaes and the assembly, agrees to depart immediately. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/ii) Gives final instructions to the burghers, urging patience and non-resistance, and inquires about Diogenes. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/iii) Takes leave of Gilda, hesitates on the steps, torn between flight and speaking with Diogenes. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/v) Dazed and quickly mounting his horse after the attack. ### [Devil's-Writ](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/viii-devil-s-writ) The Stadtholder is led away by Nicolaes after the attack, and Diogenes pursues to prevent him from falling into a trap. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/ii) Flees with Nicolaes toward Joris Laan, heading for the poort. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/iii) Spotted riding ahead toward Utrecht, easily recognizable by his plumed bonnet, with Nicolaes Beresteyn a length behind. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/v) The rider whose horse is stopped by the three soldiers; he dismounts after the rescue. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/vi) Rides with Diogenes and is the intended target of Nicolaes' assassination attempt. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/vii) Reluctantly leaves Diogenes behind after being urged repeatedly, feels a premonition of tragedy. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/viii) Socrates continues with him, referenced indirectly. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/ii) Stoutenburg's primary target of hatred; he is ill and unable to defend Amersfoort. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/iv) His planned movements are revealed by Diogenes, making him the target of the conspiracy. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/v) Mentioned as possibly moving out of Utrecht and falling into a trap; his plan is discussed by Stoutenburg and Nicolaes. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/chapters/iv) The target of Stoutenburg's ambush; expected to approach the molen from the west. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/characters/the_stadtholder - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_first_sir_percy_se/characters