William the Silent or William the Taciturn (Dutch: Willem de Zwijger; 24 April 1533 – 10 July 1584), more commonly known in the Netherlands as William of Orange (Dutch: Willem van Oranje), was the leader of the Dutch revolt against the Spanish Habsburgs that set off the Eighty Years' War (1568–1648) and resulted in the formal independence of the United Provinces in 1648. Born into the House of Nassau, he became Prince of Orange in 1544 and is thereby the founder of the Orange-Nassau branch and the ancestor of the monarchy of the Netherlands.
William Louis of Nassau appointed Stadtholder of Friesland
William the Silent or William the Taciturn (Dutch: Willem de Zwijger; 24 April 1533 – 10 July 1584), more commonly known in the Netherlands as William of Orange (Dutch: Willem van Oranje), was the...
Events Before
William I of Orange marries Louise de Coligny, daughter of the Admiral of France
William I of Orange marries Louise de Coligny, daughter of the Admiral of France
Humphrey Gilbert claims Newfoundland for the English crown, establishing the first English colony in North America and t
Humphrey Gilbert claims Newfoundland for the English crown, establishing the first English colony in North America and the beginning of the British Empire
Dutch States General and Anjou sign treaty
Dutch States General and Anjou sign treaty
Brabant: Duke of Parma beats French mercenaries
Brabant: Duke of Parma beats French mercenaries
Richard Martin of London takes out the first life insurance policy, on William Gibbons; the premium is £383
Richard Martin of London takes out the first life insurance policy, on William Gibbons; the premium is £383
Events After
The Olympic Theatre, designed by Andrea Palladio, is inaugurated in Vicenza.
Andrea Palladio was an Italian Renaissance architect active in the Venetian Republic.
Clemens Crabeels becomes bishop of 's-Hertogenbosch
Clemens Crabeels becomes bishop of 's-Hertogenbosch
Spain confiscates English ships in Spanish harbors - beginning of the Anglo-Spanish War
Spain confiscates English ships in Spanish harbors - beginning of the Anglo-Spanish War
Spanish army under Tassis beats Amerongen Staatse troops
Spanish army under Tassis beats Amerongen Staatse troops
King Henri III and Duke De Guise signs Treaty of Nemours: French Huguenots lose all freedoms
King Henri III and Duke De Guise signs Treaty of Nemours: French Huguenots lose all freedoms
More from the 1580s
Queen Elizabeth I of England signs the death warrant for her cousin, Mary, Queen of Scots
Mary, Queen of Scots (8 December 1542 – 8 February 1587), also known as Mary Stuart or Mary I of Scotland, was Queen of Scotland from 14 December 1542 until her forced abdication on 24 July 1567. The…
Mary, Queen of Scots, is beheaded at Fotheringhay Castle at age 44 after being convicted of plotting to assassinate Eliz
Mary, Queen of Scots, is beheaded at Fotheringhay Castle at age 44 after being convicted of plotting to assassinate Elizabeth I in the Babington Plot
Pope Gregory XIII announces the New Style calendar, commonly known as the Gregorian calendar
The Julian calendar is a solar calendar of 365 days in every year with an additional leap day every fourth year (without exception).
Francis Drake is knighted by Queen Elizabeth I aboard his galleon, the "Golden Hind" at Deptford, England
Sir Francis Drake (1540 – 28 January 1596) was an English explorer and privateer best known for making the second circumnavigation of the world in a single expedition between 1577 and 1580 (being the…
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on November 10, 1584?
- William the Silent or William the Taciturn (Dutch: Willem de Zwijger; 24 April 1533 – 10 July 1584), more commonly known in the Netherlands as William of Orange (Dutch: Willem van Oranje), was the leader of the Dutch revolt against the Spanish Habsburgs that set off the Eighty Years' War (1568–1648) and resulted in the formal independence of the United Provinces in 1648. Born into the House of Nassau, he became Prince of Orange in 1544 and is thereby the founder of the Orange-Nassau branch and the ancestor of the monarchy of the Netherlands.
- Why is William Louis of Nassau appointed Stadtholder of Friesland historically important?
- Born into the House of Nassau, he became Prince of Orange in 1544 and is thereby the founder of the Orange-Nassau branch and the ancestor of the monarchy of the Netherlands.