Difference between revisions of "Steward Maurice of Knootcap"
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| − | '''Maurice of Knootcap''', the son of [[Marc-Alexander of Knootcap|Marc-Alexander, was appointed as Steward of [[Knootoss]] at a young age. He was a devout [[Dutch Reformed]] man, and much more conservative then his father. Major industrialisation in the Republic took place under his rule, but the path of reforms his father had started was stopped by him. | + | '''Maurice of Knootcap''', the son of [[Marc-Alexander of Knootcap|Marc-Alexander]], was appointed as Steward of [[Knootoss]] at a young age. He was a devout [[Dutch Reformed]] man, and much more conservative then his father. Major industrialisation in the Republic took place under his rule, but the path of reforms his father had started was stopped by him. |
In the year 1848, during a period of great unrest, an incident where he was held captive by angry farmers made Maurice realise that he had to make reforms or his his personal safety could no longer be guaranteed in [[Knootoss]]. He appointed the [[liberal]] [[Johan Rudolf Vogels]] to write a new constitution, which severely limited his own power and introduced elections for all levels of government. (As well as various other reforms.) Vogels was appointed Prime Minister, leading a Liberal-[[Catholic]] alliance. | In the year 1848, during a period of great unrest, an incident where he was held captive by angry farmers made Maurice realise that he had to make reforms or his his personal safety could no longer be guaranteed in [[Knootoss]]. He appointed the [[liberal]] [[Johan Rudolf Vogels]] to write a new constitution, which severely limited his own power and introduced elections for all levels of government. (As well as various other reforms.) Vogels was appointed Prime Minister, leading a Liberal-[[Catholic]] alliance. | ||
Revision as of 17:51, 18 December 2004
| Maurice of Knootcap | ||||||||
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| Preceded by: Marc-Alexander of Knootcap |
Steward of Knootoss 1815-1862 |
Succeeded by: Amalia of Knootcap |
Maurice of Knootcap, the son of Marc-Alexander, was appointed as Steward of Knootoss at a young age. He was a devout Dutch Reformed man, and much more conservative then his father. Major industrialisation in the Republic took place under his rule, but the path of reforms his father had started was stopped by him.
In the year 1848, during a period of great unrest, an incident where he was held captive by angry farmers made Maurice realise that he had to make reforms or his his personal safety could no longer be guaranteed in Knootoss. He appointed the liberal Johan Rudolf Vogels to write a new constitution, which severely limited his own power and introduced elections for all levels of government. (As well as various other reforms.) Vogels was appointed Prime Minister, leading a Liberal-Catholic alliance.
The devout Steward also shared many anti-Catholic sentiments with the Protestants in Knootoss. While The constitution, on the other hand, favoured the Catholics by including articles regarding the separation of church and state as well as scrapping the demand that the Steward had to be of the Dutch Reformed religion.
Events known as the ‘April movement’ and the subsequent downfall of the liberal government led him to accept the resignation of the Vogels government and appoint conservatives in their place. His power was loyally reaffirmed by the new ministers, who took on roles of being his servants. Maurice and his ministers were responsible for pushing through reactionary anti-Catholic legislation. The resistance in the Staten-Generaal against these acts grew, however, and opposition was strong.
Maurice died peacefully in The Hague in 1862.
