prince of Orange William I

William I, prince of Orange (1533–84), founder of the present dynasty of the Netherlands. Born in Germany, he supported the Spanish rule of the Netherlands, first under Charles V and then Philip II, until 1568. In that year the Protestant William led a revolt against the Catholic Philip and Spain's policies of religious and political repression in the Netherlands. He worked to unite all of the provinces of the Netherlands, and in 1579 the Dutch Republic consisting of 7 provinces was formed. He was outlawed by Philip II and subsequently assassinated.

See also: Netherlands.