- As soon as it became clear that a ceasefire had been agreed in April 1607 between the Dutch Republic and Spain, leading up to the 12 Years Truce, various states and interest groups began to take positions and try to influence the process. German Protestants reacted with dismay to the news, as they believed that the fanatically Catholic authorities in Madrid and Brussels could not be trusted and would violate the armistice at an unguarded moment. The French and English kings were annoyed by the fact that they had not been consulted first. In May 1607, three French ambassadors led by Pierre Jeannin arrived to participate in the Hague discussions. Van Oldenbarnevelt also invited delegations from England, Denmark and Germany (Cologne, the Palatinate, Brandenburg, Hesse-Kassel, Württemberg, Gulik, Anhalt-Cöthen, Brandenburg-Ansbach and Bentheim), who visited The Hague between the end of 1607 and the beginning of 1608. arrived. Both the North and South refused the presence of Emperor Rudolf II's diplomats because they considered themselves sovereign and did not want interference from above. Although all delegates pretended to fulfill only the role of advisors, they did come to promote their own interests and could join either negotiating camp at any time. This is a printed copy of a letter from the Holy Roman Emperor, Rudolf II, to the Dutch States General, dated 19 October 1607, concerning the peace negotiations with Spain, with the States General's undated answer (in fact from 7 January 1608, and longer than the Emperor's letter). STCN 860298132; Knuttel 1513; Simoni G 43; Tiele 716.