William, (1533-1584) was appointed governor of Holland by Phiiip II of Spain in 1559, but joined the revolt of 1572 against Spain's oppressive rule, and, as a Protestant from 1573, became the national leader.
Short Biography:
He briefly succeeded in uniting the Catholic south and Protestant northern provinces. But the former provinces submitted to Spain while the latter formed a federation in 1579 which repudiated Spanish suzerainty in 1581. He was assassinated by a Spanish agent.
Why is William the Silent famous?
William the Silent was Prince of Orange from 1544, known as William the Silent because of his absolute discretion.
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