page_title: Politics and government of the Dutch Republic
section_title: Council of State
hierarchical_section_title: Politics and government of the Dutch Republic / National government / Council of State
caption_attribution_description: English: Arms of the "Republic of the Seven United Provinces" (the Netherlands between 1581 - 1795). Relief in Dordrecht Nederlands: wapen van de Republiek der Zeven Verenigde Nederlanden (1581 tot 1795). Relief in Dordrecht
context_page_description: The Dutch Republic was a confederation of seven provinces, which had their own governments and were very independent, and a number of so-called Generality Lands. These latter were governed directly by the States-General, the federal government. The States-General were seated in The Hague and consisted of representatives of each of the seven provinces.
context_section_description: The Council of State (Raad van State) of the Generality functioned as the executive committee of the Union, and carried out its executive functions. It was descended from the Councils of States formed by the Burgundian Dukes and the Habsburgs. This incarnation was formed when Leicester became governor-general. After his departure, it was made subordinate to the States-General, and functioned as a subcommittee of it. It formulated the budget, organised and financed the army and navy (although naval policy was set by the Council of the Admiralty, as below), and levied taxes throughout the Union. It consisted of twelve members, appointed by the provinces for two, three, or four years, depending on the province, as well as the Prince of Orange. These members also tended to be the provinces' representatives to the States-General, as the Council was a subordinate to it. The councillors, contrary to general practice, voted individually, not by province. Each councillor presided in turn. ·  Its members were fixed by tradition to:
  The Prince of Orange as Captain-General of the Union's Army and Admiral-General of the Navy.
  Gelderland - 2 councilors
  Holland - 3 councilors, one of which was the Councillor Pensionary of Holland.
  Zeeland - 2 councilors
  Utrecht - 2 councilors
  Friesland - 1 councilor
  Overijssel - 1 councilor
  Groningen - 1 councilor ·
caption: Coat of arms of the States-General of the United Provinces("States"/Staten) of the Netherlands. The lion with the arrows, sword, and crown are now part of the Coat of arms of the Netherlands.
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