The field deputies (Dutch: gedeputeerden te velde[1][2]) were the representatives of the various Dutch sovereign provinces in the armies of the Dutch Republic. They represented, usually in numbers of five or nine, the highest authority in the country within the Dutch States Army, and ensured that the orders of the Dutch States General were respected and above all that the privileges of the provinces and cities were respected, to which they were generally very zealous. The deputies were also charged with maintaining discipline of war, curbing all excesses and enforcing the military laws, conducting or ordering inspections of the troops,[1] as well as ensuring the provisioning and supply of the troops.[3] In rare cases, they also directly commanded troops in battle.[4][5]