Noun
Formerly, the chief magistrate of the United Provinces of Holland; also, the governor or lieutenant governor of a province.
Source: Webster's dictionaryAfter the Batavian Revolution in Amsterdam on 18 January 1795 the stadtholder decided to flee to Britain, and his sons accompanied him. Source: Internet
Eugen Weber, A Modern History of Europe (1971) p 290 In 1650, the stadtholder William II, Prince of Orange suddenly died; his son was a baby and the Orangists were leaderless. Source: Internet
Exclusion from stadtholdership main After the death of William's father, most provinces had left the office of stadtholder vacant. Source: Internet
However, though the new stadtholder acquired near-dictatorial powers, this did not improve the situation. Source: Internet
In return for William's capitulation to England and France, Charles would make William Sovereign Prince of Holland, instead of stadtholder (a mere civil servant). Source: Internet
It is still a matter of controversy whether the initiative for the conspiracy was taken by the English or by the stadtholder and his wife. Source: Internet