The apples of Orange were already known in the 18th century. Holding an orange tree was a way of showing your political affiliation. Yes, even in a city like Maastricht, which has at times been firmly Orange minded, especially in 1768, despite everything that has been written about it.
In that year William V came of age and was appointed hereditary 'stadholder' of the Republic of the Seven United Provinces. This must have given his popularity a considerable boost.
Still, William V did not become a very successful 'stadholder'. He had difficulty making decisions, especially in the struggle between the Patriots and Orangists. This gave him little authority. The strong will of his wife, Wilhelmina of Prussia, reinforced the image of a weak 'stadhouder', and even she called him a fool.
The arrest of Princess Wilhelmina in 1787 by the Patriots at Goejanverwellesluis was the direct reason for her brother Frederick William II of Prussia to invade the Republic and this led to the fall of the Patriots.
The facade of Sporenstraat 14 is completely original and still forms a perfect unity with the gablestone, because the sloping pillars between the ground and first floor run, as it were, over the edges of the gablestone.
Above, there are two gable surfaces for the windows; below, this is transformed into space for two windows plus a door by the bending pilasters. In that spot, which was created in between, there was room for a trapezoidal gablestone, which was precisely tailored to the size and shape.
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