William the Silent (l. 1533-1584, also known as William of Orange) was the leader of the Dutch Revolt (the Eighty Years' War) in the Netherlands; first politically (between 1559-1568) then militarily (between 1568-1584). He is among the most prominent figures in Dutch history, regarded as the Father of the Fatherland, and in European history of the 16th century.
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Definition
Timeline
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1533 - 1584Life of statesman, military commander, and advocate for religious tolerance, William the Silent (William of Orange).
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1559 - 1568William the Silent serves as stadtholder and leader of the political opposition to Spanish policies in the Netherlands.
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1564William the Silent openly advocates for religious tolerance in the Netherlands.
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1568 - 1584William the Silent serves as military commander of the Protestant forces in the Netherlands during the Eighty Years' War.
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1572William the Silent issues his writ The Goals of William of Orange concerning the war.
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1582Assassination attempt on William the Silent fails.
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1584William the Silent is assassinated by a Catholic zealot.
