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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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.
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10 Jul 1584William the Silent (William of Orange), leader of the Dutch Revolt against Spanish occupation that ignited the Eighty Years' War is assassinated by Balthasar Gerard at William's home in Delft. Often cited as the first political assassination, although this claim is inaccurate.
