The young commander-in-chief immediately took critical measures to reorganise the army, working with experts to develop a new military strategy based on mathematics. Maurice demanded absolute discipline and dedication from his soldiers, and transformed the national army into a well-oiled fighting machine. His strategy succeeded in reversing the Spanish advance and even recapturing some key Dutch Republic territories, earning him a reputation as a military genius. But despite his successes at war, domestic issues concerning the state and church were on the rise. These led to a permanent break from his long-time ally the Grand Pensionary Johan van Oldenbarnevelt, who was beheaded in 1619. In 1624, Maurice returned ill from his army camp, and died six months later.
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