Provincial leaders in the Netherlands, as first appointed by the ruling dukes of Burgundy in the 15th century. Their duties included presiding over the provincial state assemblies and commanding provincial armies. During the Dutch Revolts (1568–1684), they were elected by the central States-General and subsequently by the provincial state assemblies. In the United Provinces the House of Orange-Nassau came to dominate the statholderates. Within the province of Holland there was protracted dispute between the Orange statholders and the states for overall leadership. In 1795 the office of statholder ceased to exist.