Edict of Perpetual
William I the Silent ignores the Perpetual Edict
Role range: 1559-1584
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
William I the Silent Biography and Timeline — Page 2
Follow William I the Silent through 65 dated historical records for Netherlands.
William I the Silent, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
65Distinct records
2 of 2Page
1577–1584Years on this page
1577
Rebellion of Rebels in Brussels
William I the Silent enters Brussels in triumph
Role range: 1559-1584
1578
Battle of Gembloux
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
Role range: 1559-1584
Lieutenant
Appointed Lieutenant-Governor
Role range: 1559-1584
1579
Coronation
Proclaims independence of the northern provinces, William becomes uncrowned ruler
Role range: 1559-1584
Independence of Netherlands
Proclaims independence of the northern provinces, William becomes uncrowned ruler
Role range: 1559-1584
Treaty of Union of Utrecht
6 Dutch Habsburg provinces pledge to act as allies in the event of war
Role range: 1559-1584
Treaty of Union of Utrecht
Proclaims independence of the northern provinces, William becomes uncrowned ruler
Role range: 1559-1584
Union of Utrecht
6 Dutch Habsburg provinces pledge to act as allies in the event of war
Role range: 1559-1584
Union of Utrecht
Proclaims independence of the northern provinces, William becomes uncrowned ruler
Role range: 1559-1584
Independence of Netherlands
The Union of Utrecht unites 7 provinces which declare their Independence from Spain
Role range: 1559-1584
Treaty of Union of Utrecht
Ghent signs the Uion of Utrecht
Role range: 1559-1584
Union of Utrecht
Ghent signs the Uion of Utrecht
Role range: 1559-1584
Union-Arras
The Union of Arras unites the Walloons of The Netherlands
Role range: 1559-1584
Alliance Holland and England
Holland makes a military alliance with England
Role range: 1559-1584
1580
Treaty of Union of Utrecht
Groningen, Lier & Bruges sign the Union of Utrecht
Role range: 1559-1584
Union of Utrecht
Groningen, Lier & Bruges sign the Union of Utrecht
Role range: 1559-1584
Alliance William I the Silent and Francis, Duke of Alencon and Anjou
Seeks French support by offering Dutch rule to Francis, Duke of Alencon & Anjou
Role range: 1559-1584
Independence of Netherlands
Seeks French support by offering Dutch rule to Francis, Duke of Alencon & Anjou
Role range: 1559-1584
1581
Independence of Netherlands
Philip II denounces William as a traitor & puts a high price on his head
Role range: 1559-1584
Rule of Netherlands, The
William I the Silent appoints the duc dAlencon King of Holland
Role range: 1559-1584
Succession
The position of Stadholder is made hereditary. Succeeds as Stadholder of The Netherlands
Role range: 1559-1584
1583
Marriage
Marries Louise de Coligny, daughter of Admiral Coligny
Role range: 1559-1584
1584
Assassination of William I the Silent
Assassinated at Delft by Balthazar Gerard, a Catholic fanatic
Role range: 1559-1584
Death of William I the Silent
Death of William I the Silent, assassinated
Role range: 1559-1584
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.