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Why did William I face financial difficulties despite owning extensive lands?

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Portrait of William I, Prince of Orange, by Adriaen Thomasz Key. He wears a dark embroidered coat, a white ruff collar, and a black cap, with a trimmed beard and mustache. — William I Portrait of William I, oil on panel by Adriaen Thomaszoon Key, c. 1579; in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.

Despite possessing immense landed property, William I, Prince of Orange, faced persistent financial difficulties throughout his life due to a chronic scarcity of liquid assets.1

These structural pecuniary straits were not unique to him; they were a common challenge shared by many members of his social class and even the Burgundian government itself during that period. While he inherited vast estates—including the combined wealth of the houses of Nassau-Breda and Chalon-Orange—these holdings did not always translate into readily available cash to fund his extensive military, diplomatic, and social obligations.1

His financial situation was further exacerbated during the later years of his life, particularly as he became deeply involved in the revolt against Spain. During this period, he suffered the loss of his offices and the confiscation of his estates within King Philip II’s dominions, which significantly strained his resources while he led the resistance.2