William I the Silent Biography and Timeline

Birth of William I the Silent

Birth of William I the Silent

Role range: 1559-1584

Succession

Succeeds as Stadholder of The Netherlands

Role range: 1559-1584

Marriage

Marries Anna van Buren, succeeds to the Principality of Orange

Role range: 1559-1584

Stadholder

Appointed Stadtholder of Holland, Zeeland, and Utrecht

Role range: 1559-1584

Treaty of Cateau Cambresis

Drafts the Treaty of Cateau Cambresis for Philip II of Spain

Role range: 1559-1584

Stadholder

Appointed Stadholder of The Netherlands

Role range: 1559-1584

Succession

Succeeds as Count of Nassau

Role range: 1559-1584

Resignation of William I the Silent

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

Role range: 1566-1569 – 1559-1584

Reform of Religious Toleration

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

Role range: 1559-1584

Gueux

Founds the Gueux party in opposition the Phillip II

Role range: 1559-1584

Exile of William I the Silent

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

Role range: 1568-1648 – 1559-1584

Oath

Refuses to take the oath of allegiance to Phillip II

Role range: 1568-1648 – 1559-1584

Invasion of Netherlands, The

Launches a raid into the Spanish Netherlands from exile in Germany

Role range: 1568-1648 – 1559-1584

Rebellion of William I the Silent

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

Role range: 1568-1648 – 1559-1584

Siege of Haarlem

Haarlem surrenders to the Spanish, the leaders are executed

Role range: 1568-1648 – 1559-1584

Succession

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

Role range: 1559-1584

Rebellion of Zeeland

Te Estates of Holland and Zeeland revolt against Spanish Rule

Role range: 1568-1648 – 1559-1584

Orange Opens Campaign In Low Countries

William of Orange organised a major invasion of the Spanish Netherlands to challenge the Duke of Alba's authority.

Orange Seeks Support From Border Towns

William of Orange attempted to win control of towns and routes in the southern Netherlands during the 1572 campaign.

Orange Organizes Relief Of Mons

William of Orange attempted to rescue his brother's besieged army by bringing additional forces into the southern Netherlands.

Orange Army Approaches Mons

William of Orange advanced toward Mons, seeking to break Spanish encirclement and preserve the rebel position.

Orange Withdraws From Mons Campaign

After failing to relieve Mons, William of Orange withdrew his army as the Spanish position became stronger.

Orange Supports Haarlem Resistance

William of Orange sought to sustain Haarlem's resistance as it confronted a major Spanish siege.

Conversion

William becomes a Calvinist

Role range: 1559-1584

Frozen Lake Enables Supplies

Supporters used routes across the frozen Haarlemmermeer to get provisions toward the besieged city.

Orange Attempts Lake Relief

William of Orange supported efforts to break Spanish control of the lake that supplied Haarlem.

Orange Assembles Final Relief Army

William of Orange organised another force to march toward Haarlem in an attempt to save the city.

Long Resistance Inspires Dutch Rebels

Although Haarlem fell, the length of its defence encouraged other rebel communities to continue resisting Spain.

Capture of Middleburgh

The Dutch capture Middleburgh

Role range: 1568-1648 – 1559-1584

Stadholder

Appointed Commander in Chief

Role range: 1568-1648 – 1559-1584

Rule of Netherlands, The

The states of Holland & Zeland are united

Role range: 1559-1584

Rule of Zeland

The states of Holland & Zeland are united

Role range: 1559-1584

Unification

The states of Holland & Zeland are united

Role range: 1559-1584

Marriage

Marries Charlotte de Bourbon

Role range: 1559-1584

Pacification-Ghent

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

Role range: 1559-1584

Unification

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

Role range: 1566-1569 – 1559-1584

Capture of Namur

The Governor Don John captures Namur

Role range: 1559-1584

Coup

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

Role range: 1559-1584

Magistrates Overthrown

Calvinist supporters help overthrow Catholic magistrates in Bruges.

Role range: 1559-1584

Rebellion of Rebels in Antwerp

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

Role range: 1559-1584