This article shows that the use of fatherland terminology (the words: patria, fatherlandand patriot) was applied in tumultuous times in order to claim a presupposed, temporary'office' to critique the prince. In Jülich, the position of Duke Wolfgang Wilhelm ofPalatinate-Neuburg was contested due to a succession crisis. On top of this crisis, theThirty Years War made it difficult to keep the principality safe from harm. Pillagingsoldiers and financial contributions led the nobility to believe that the duke was incapableof ruling this fief. The nobility met - as 'loyal patriots' - in Cologne to discuss issuesconcerning the welfare of their fatherland. The use of this terminology helped to avoidthe association with rebellion and undermining the government.
