Had he been ambitious, he might many years before have obtained by general consent sovereign power, but he did not seek it.

His passion was the study of military science.

From his early youth he had spent his life in camps, and now he found himself without occupation.

The enemies of Oldenbarneveldt seized the opportunity to arouse Maurice's suspicions of the Advocate's motives in bringing about the truce, and even to hint that he had been bribed with Spanish gold.

Chief among these enemies was Francis van Aerssens, for a number of years ambassador of the States at Paris.