initially, amsterdam fell under the admiralty of rotterdam, as it was located in the southern quarter of holland. however, on 26 july 1586, the earl of leicester reorganised maritime affairs and placed amsterdam, the northern quarter of holland, and the provinces of utrecht and gelderland under a single admiralty based in hoorn. the region's west frisian towns played a wayward role, and this was aggravated when they engaged with amsterdam in a dispute over the republic's admiralty administration. the states of holland (the government of the province of holland) backed amsterdam. that there was a need for reorganisation was not contested, leicester having placed naval and maritime affairs under a single college designed to curb holland's influence. hoorn, enkhuizen and medemblik rejected the idea that commissioned officers should be appointed by the states of holland instead of the cities themselves. as a result, the commissioned officers resolved to remain in amsterdam. on 28 august 1586, that decision formed the foundation of the amsterdam admiralty.