William inherited the French principality of Orange at the age of 11, thereby becoming Prince of Orange. He led a tumultuous life and had an impressive career. Philip II of Spain, the son of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, appointed William as the ruler, or stadtholder, of the most important Dutch provinces: Holland, Zeeland and Utrecht. The two men clashed, however, because Philip II wanted to establish an empire with a single central authority and religion: Roman Catholicism. William, in contrast, stood for freedom of faith and conscience for all. This conflict would cost William his life: he was killed by a pistol shot on 10 July 1584.
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