Perpetual Edict of 1667

The "Perpetual Edict" was a decree issued in 1667 by Johan de Witt, the political leader of Holland, during a period of republican rule in the Dutch Republic. This edict abolished the office of stadtholder, which had been held by the princes of the House of Orange. De Witt, a staunch advocate for the States party, aimed to consolidate power within the provincial states and prevent the resurgence of the Orange family's influence. This move was part of a broader political struggle for supremacy between the Holland province and the princes of Orange, who represented a more centralized form of government. The edict was a significant step in establishing a stadtholderless period in Dutch history, emphasizing republican administration.