Penning. Silver, 1672. In the summer of 1672 demand increased for the appointment of William III as stadholder of Holland. The catastrophe that threatened to engulf the country was attributed to the policies of De Witt and the city patricians who backed him. The growing conflict between the government party and supporters of the Prince led eventually to the lynching of the De Witt brothers on 20 August 1672.This medal voices the urgent need to appoint William III stadholder: a wounded lion seeking shelter under a young orange tree which is growing out of an older tree.