William I of Orange

Full Name: William I, Prince of Orange, commonly known as William the Silent
Profession: Leader of the Dutch Revolt

Nationality:

Biography: Regarded as the 'Father of the Nation" today in the Netherlands, William I of Orange was born the son of a Dutch count, who as child inherited wealthy new land and property. This prompted Charles V of Spain, who then ruled the low countries, to demand that William be raised and educated as a Catholic, away from his family.

As a young man William was initially loyal to the Spanish crown serving Charles V and later Philip II with distinction. He became known as 'William the Silent' for his diplomatic skills was promoted to the State Council and in 1559 appointed Stadtholder (governor and commander in chief) of the provinces of Holland, Zeeland, and Utrecht. However William, along with other local nobles, felt more and more frustrated by their exclusion from power. They were also increasingly influenced by the spread of Protestant ideas. William himself began to advocate for the freedom of religious worship.

By 1567 William was firmly on the side of the rebels and his disloyalty led to his territories being confiscated and his son to be shipped off to Spain. Proclaimed the Stadtholder by the provincial States of Holland in 1572. His troops fought desperately for four years and by 1578 many of the Dutch provinces were in his control.

In 1580 Philip II declared William an outlaw and put a price on his head. He was assassinated at home by a Catholic supporter of Philip II in 1583 in Delft. After his death William's brother Maurice and later his sons continued the uprising, leading to independence at last for the Netherlands in 1848.

Born: April 24, 1533
Birthplace: Dillenburg, County of Nassau, Holy Roman Empire
Star Sign: Taurus

Died: July 10, 1584 (aged 51)
Cause of Death: Assassinated in his home in Delft, Holland, by Balthasar Gérard