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William of Orange

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Royalty

The Resume

    (April 24, 1533-July 10, 1584)
    Prince of Orange
    Main leader of the Dutch revolt against the Spanish
    Declared an outlaw by the Spanish king (1580)

Why he might be annoying:

    He was known as a spoiled rich son of a nobleman in the earlier years of his life.
    He was known as 'William the Silent' because he completely avoided speaking about certain topics.
    He married four times.
    Despite leading the revolt against Spanish rule in the Dutch provinces, he still claimed to be loyal to the Spanish king.
    His efforts against Spain lead to the Eighty Years' War.
    He supported the hugely unpopular Duke of Anjou as the first sovereign of the Netherlands.
    His grandson William III of Orange went on to lead a revolution to become King of England.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He attended many parties earlier in his life.
    He was educated in Catholic schools yet remained a Protestant.
    He spoke out against the inquisition in the Netherlands.
    He was a strong military leader that managed to win support of neighboring countries and defeat the powerful Spanish on limited means.
    He lead the Netherlands to both independence and their golden age.
    His influence can be seen in the flag of the Netherlands, the coat of arms, the national anthem (the Wilhelmus) and the national color (orange).
    His descendants have remained the monarchs of the Netherlands to this day.
    He desired freedom of religion.
    He founded the University of Leiden, the oldest university in the Netherlands.
    He was assassinated by a French Catholic extremist loyal to the King of Spain (July 10, 1584).
    His last words were, 'My Lord, My Lord, have pity on me and your poor people.'
    He remains a national hero in the Netherlands.

Credit: Captain Howdy


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 11 Votes: 63.64% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 4 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 6 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 5 Votes: 40.0% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 9 Votes: 55.56% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 13 Votes: 61.54% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 12 Votes: 58.33% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 15 Votes: 46.67% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 22 Votes: 63.64% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 31 Votes: 54.84% Annoying
    In 2007, Out of 73 Votes: 52.05% Annoying
    In 2006, Out of 116 Votes: 56.90% Annoying
    In 2005, Out of 184 Votes: 53.26% Annoying
    In 2004, Out of 54 Votes: 46.30% Annoying