 The leader of the Dutch Revolt was William the Silent (William I of Orange); he had been appointed "stadtholder" in 1572 by the first province to rebel, Holland.His personal influence and reputation was subsequently associated with the office and transferred to members of his house.After his assassination, however, there was a short-lived move to install Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester as 'lieutenant general' before Maurice in 1590 became stadtholder of five provinces, a position he would hold till his death.