Holland had reestablished the stadtholderate under the leadership of William of Orange. The former chiefs of the republic, Jean and Corneille de Witt, unjustly accused of betraying their country to France, had been forced to resign and sentenced to perpetual banishment. Corneille de Witt had also been falsely accused of planning to assassinate William of Orange, and had been thrown into prison and tortured. When the story opens Corneille is still in prison, awaiting his brother Jean, who is to accompany him into exile. The Orange party wished the death of the de Witts and had stirred up the populace, which was kept from breaking into the prison only by state troops under the command of Tilly.
