Netherlands 1984 William of Orange 400 years date of death

From Stamps of the World
  • Issue Date : July 10, 1984
  • Designed by : Guus Ros
  • Printed by : Joh Enschedé Haarlem
  • Print Process : Photogravure
  • Watermark: none
  • Perforation : 14:12¾


William the Silent (24 April 1533 – 10 July 1584), also known as William the Taciturn (translated from Dutch: Willem de Zwijger), or, more commonly in the Netherlands, William of Orange (Dutch: Willem van Oranje), was the main 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 1581. 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. In the Netherlands, he is also known as Father of the Fatherland (Pater Patriae) (Dutch: Vader des Vaderlands).


1584-1984 Date of Death