The great Scandinavian Imperium started off on the small island of Iceland. The Royal Dutch Governor of Iceland began a large nationalistic surge in Iceland, but he was arrested and executed for High Treason against the Dutch king. Prince William of Orange was appointed the new Royal Governor, and took leadership of the indpendence movement, endorsing it and leading it to success. The Icelandic Imperium, as it was called, was formed when Prince William of Orange fled to Iceland to lead their nationalistic pro-Scandinavian movement. William I led the massive military engagements between the Dutch and Icelandic people, and earned their freedom, and as a result, their trust.