The opposition of wealthy and populous Amsterdam was again and again sufficient to override the decision of the majority, for there was no power to enforce its submission, except the employment of armed force.
For at this point it may be as well to explain that each one of these municipalities (_vroedschappen_) claimed to be a sovereign entity, and yet, far from being bodies representing the citizens as a whole, they were close corporations of the narrowest description.

The ordinary inhabitants of these towns had no voice whatever in the management of their own affairs.

The governing body or _vroedschap_ consisted of a limited number of persons, sometimes not more than forty, belonging to certain families, which filled up vacancies by co-option and chose the burgomasters and sheriffs (_schepenen_).

Thus it will be seen that popular representation had no place in Holland.

The regent-burghers were a small patrician oligarchy, in whose hands the entire government and administration of the towns rested, and from their number were chosen the deputies, who represented the eighteen privileged cities in the Provincial Estates.
The other provinces do not need such detailed notice.