William the Silent
1533 – 1584 Dutch prince, revolt leader
Leader of the Dutch revolt against Spanish rule.
- Religion
- Calvinist (converted)
- Affiliations
- House of Orange-Nassau
William of Orange led the Dutch Revolt against the rule of Philip II of Spain and became a founding figure of the independent Netherlands. Raised Catholic, he later converted to Calvinism during the struggle. He was assassinated in Delft in 1584 and is remembered as the father of the fatherland.