Who was William I of Orange-Nassau?
Q: Who was William I of Orange-Nassau?
A: William I of Orange-Nassau (24 April 1533 – 10 July 1584) was an important leader of the Dutch rebellion against the Spanish in the Eighty Years' War. He was the first leader of the Netherlands and held the title of Prince of Orange.
Q: How did he get his nickname, "William The Silent"?
A: It is not known how he got this name. One story says that when the kings of France and Spain proposed to William to kill all Protestants in his area, William did not reply.
Q: Where was William born?
A: William was born in Nassau in Germany.
Q: What role did he have for several Dutch provinces?
A: The king of Spain made him stadtholder (a sort of leader) for several Dutch provinces.
Q: What religion did he convert to?
A: William converted to Protestantism, which is the religion of the Dutch people, and joined their struggle for independence.
Q: How did he die?
A: In 1584, William was shot by Balthasar Gerards in his house in Delft.
Q: What were his last words before dying? A: His last words were in French : "Mon Dieu, mon Dieu, ayez pitié de moi et de ton pauvre peuple" (My Lord, My Lord, have pity on me and your poor people).
