Skip to content
History–Tours
15681568–1648 · Delft

Dutch Revolt and the murder of William of Orange

The brick Prinsenhof in Delft, the former convent where William of Orange was shot in 1584
Photo: Malis. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Protestant and noble resistance to Philip II of Spain grew into an eighty-year war of independence, led at first by William of Orange. The northern provinces united in 1579 and renounced the king in 1581. In 1584 a Catholic assassin shot William on the stairs of his Delft residence, but the Dutch Republic survived, won recognition in 1648 and became a leading trading power.

Sites

  1. Site 1: Museum Prinsenhof DelftThe bullet holes from William's murder, still in the stairwell wall.Map ↗
  2. Site 2: Nieuwe Kerk, DelftWilliam's marble tomb, above the burial vault of the Dutch royal family.Map ↗

Guides who take you there

History-only · order never for sale
We haven't found an independent history guide for this yet. Guide here? Tell us about your tours.

Also in Amsterdam

More from the Renaissance & Early Modern

Read more: reference. Summary written by History-Tours.com.