Chloe Miller

AP EURO
Pd. 4

William the Silent

William the Silent (1533 – 10 July 1584), also known as William I, was the Prince
of Orange. He ruled over the Principality of Orange, which currently makes up
some of Southern France. He was known as being the founder of the House of
Orange-Nassau, as he was the first to be born in the House of Nassau and also
serve as the Prince of Orange. William the Silent was primarily known for his role
as a supporter of the Dutch, whom were being heavily persecuted by the Spanish
Catholics. During this time, there still was much religious tension, which led the
Spanish, by order of King Phillip II, to begin slaying and persecuted the Dutch
Protestants. William was said to have been the main leader of this revolt. This
was quite an odd measure for William to take, as he originally served Phillip II,
given the fact that he was appointed as the governor of the Spanish Netherlands.
When the Dutch revolt began to surface, William found himself disliking the
decisions made by the Spanish government, and became an avid supporter of the
Dutch. William is said to be one of the primary figures within the revolt, as his
previous political experience made him a valuable tool in the Dutch revolts. Of
course, William faced much opposition, as many of the Spanish people felt that
he had betrayed Phillip II by supporting the Protestants. William was soon
declared as an outlaw by King Phillip II, and a bounty was put out on him. A
Catholic from France and a strong supporter of Phillip II, Balthasar Gérard sought
out William the Silent. He eventually assassinated William in 1584.