Dutch cities such as Amsterdam arose in the late Middle Ages after wealthy merchant families acquired city rights with their financial contribution to the wars of the nobility and subsequently could claim the administration of those cities from their midst: De Regents. In exchange for further support for the nobility and king, the cities were given more and more privileges and independence. 

And with that, the wealthy regent families became more and more powerful. This was perpetuated by the prevailing idea among the townspeople that the rulers had to come from the smartest and richest class. But above all, the regents did not let anyone tell them anything. The regents were the rulers of their own kingdoms that the king and nobility could no longer ignore. 

The wealth and prosperity of these families are reflected in the wonderful representations of our historical stained-glass windows.