Stadtholder

(staht'hold'r.) [Du. stadhouder, city holder.] (Hist.) The title formerly given to the commander-in-chief of the forces belonging to the Republic of the United Netherlands. William IV., Prince of Orange, was constituted the first general hereditary S. in1747; the office ceased at the French conquest; and in 1814 the head of the House of Orange was elevated to the regal dignity, which has been retained by his succe ors. [s. 850]