The nobility played a much less important role in Dutch politics than elsewhere in Europe during the Early Modern period. For example, the nobility (Ridderschap) had only one vote in the provincial assembly of the States of Holland. In the Republic, no new titles of nobility were granted. Nevertheless noble families in some agrarian provinces, such as Utrecht, Gelderland, and Overi jssel, played a dominant role as large landowners. During the Bata vian Revolution, titles of nobility were abolished. After the Restora tion, King William I created a council, the Hoge Raad van Adel (High Council of Nobility), to advise him on this matter. According to the Dutch constitution, the king is entitled to raise a person to the peerage, but its members enjoy no political privileges.
Historical Dictionary of the Netherlands. EdwART. 2012.