A heraldic composition from Theatrum ichnographicum omnium urbium et præcipuorum oppidorum Belgicarum XVII, presenting the coats of arms of the Seventeen Provinces. At the top is the coat of arms of the States-General, with the arms of the individual provinces displayed beneath it. The Seventeen Provinces were a union of feudal territories in the Low Countries under Habsburg rule during the 15th and 16th centuries. The States-General, originally a representative assembly, later played a leading role in the revolt that led to the formation of the Dutch Republic.