William I the Silent Biography

Birth of William I the Silent

Succeeds as Stadholder of The Netherlands

Marries Anna van Buren, succeeds to the Principality of Orange

Appointed Stadtholder of Holland, Zeeland, and Utrecht

Appointed Stadholder of The Netherlands

Succeeds as Count of Nassau

Drafts the Treaty of Cateau Cambresis for Philip II of Spain

William I resigns from the Dutch Council of State over Philips Hispanicization

Appeals to Phillip II for religious toleration but the policy of heresy is maintained

Founds the Gueux party in opposition the Phillip II

Outlawed by Spain, flees to Germany & begins a feud with Phillip II of Spain

Refuses to take the oath of allegiance to Phillip II

Launches a raid into the Spanish Netherlands from exile in Germany

Leads a naval attack by the "Gueux de Mer" on Spanish shipping in The Netherlands

Te Estates of Holland and Zeeland revolt against Spanish Rule

Succeeds as Stadholder of The Netherlands, Stadholder of the northern provinces

Haarlem surrenders to the Spanish, the leaders are executed

William becomes a Calvinist

Appointed Commander in Chief

The Dutch capture Middleburgh

Marries Charlotte de Bourbon

The states of Holland & Zeland are united

The states of Holland & Zeland are united

The states of Holland & Zeland are united

The provinces of The Netherlands unite under Williams leadership to expel the Spanish

The "Pacification of Ghent" unites the southern provinces against Spain

William I the Silent ignores the Perpetual Edict

William I the Silent enters Brussels in triumph

The Governor Don John captures Namur

The workers of Brussels, Antwerp, Bruges & Ghent overthrow their Catholic Magistrates

Calvinist supporters help overthrow Catholic magistrates in Bruges.

The workers of Brussels, Antwerp, Bruges & Ghent overthrow their Catholic Magistrates

Appointed Lieutenant-Governor

The Spanish harry and defeat Dutch causing 10,000 casualties while losing only 100 of their own. Don John defeats the Northern Netherlands Army at Gembloux, Brabant

Holland makes a military alliance with England

The Union of Arras unites the Walloons of The Netherlands

Proclaims independence of the northern provinces, William becomes uncrowned ruler

Proclaims independence of the northern provinces, William becomes uncrowned ruler

The Union of Utrecht unites 7 provinces which declare their Independence from Spain

6 Dutch Habsburg provinces pledge to act as allies in the event of war

Proclaims independence of the northern provinces, William becomes uncrowned ruler

6 Dutch Habsburg provinces pledge to act as allies in the event of war

Proclaims independence of the northern provinces, William becomes uncrowned ruler

Ghent signs the Uion of Utrecht

Ghent signs the Uion of Utrecht

Seeks French support by offering Dutch rule to Francis, Duke of Alencon & Anjou

Seeks French support by offering Dutch rule to Francis, Duke of Alencon & Anjou

Groningen, Lier & Bruges sign the Union of Utrecht

Groningen, Lier & Bruges sign the Union of Utrecht

Philip II denounces William as a traitor & puts a high price on his head

William I the Silent appoints the duc dAlencon King of Holland

The position of Stadholder is made hereditary. Succeeds as Stadholder of The Netherlands

Marries Louise de Coligny, daughter of Admiral Coligny

Death of William I the Silent, assassinated

Assassinated at Delft by Balthazar Gerard, a Catholic fanatic