Balthasar Gérard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Balthasar Gérard
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Portrait of Gérard, c. 16th century. Author unknown. Stedelijk Museum het Prinsenhof, Delft
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| Born | c. 1557 Vuillafans, Franche-Comté
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| Died | 14 July 1584 (aged 26 or 27) |
| Nationality | Franc-Comtois |
| Other names | Gerards, Gerardts |
| Known for | Assassination of William the Silent |
Balthasar Gérard (also spelled Gerards or Gerardts; born around 1557 – died July 14, 1584) was the person who killed William the Silent. William was a very important leader of the Dutch revolt and was later known as the "Father of the Fatherland." Gérard shot William in Delft on July 10, 1584. After this, Gérard was caught and faced serious consequences.
Gérard was born in Franche-Comté, a region that was part of the Holy Roman Empire (and later France). He came from a large Roman Catholic family and greatly admired Philip II of Spain. Philip II was the King of Spain and the Netherlands at that time. Gérard studied law at the University of Dole. King Philip II had offered a large reward to anyone who could stop William the Silent, calling him an "enemy."
Planning the Attack
After King Philip II offered the reward, Gérard decided to act. He traveled to Luxembourg and then to Trier. There, he shared his plan with religious leaders. He was advised to speak with the Prince of Parma, who was a Spanish governor.
In Tournai, Gérard wrote a letter to the Prince of Parma. In this letter, he explained his strong belief that a loyal subject should always put the king's wishes before their own life. At first, the Prince of Parma was not sure about Gérard. But after talking with others, he assigned Christoffel d'Assonleville to speak with Gérard.
Gérard asked for some money for his expenses, but he was refused. He said he would pay for things himself and that they would hear from him within six weeks. Assonleville encouraged him, saying that if he succeeded, the King would keep his promises, and Gérard would become famous.
On Sunday, July 8, 1584, Gérard spent time around the Prinsenhof, which was William the Silent's home. A guard asked him why he was there. Gérard said he was too poorly dressed to go to church. The guard, not suspecting anything, even arranged for William himself to give Gérard 50 crowns. The next morning, Gérard used this money to buy two pistols from a soldier. He even argued about the price to get the specific type of bullets he wanted.
The Shooting of William the Silent
On July 10, 1584, William the Silent was walking up the stairs to the second floor of the Prinsenhof. A Welsh captain named Roger Williams knelt before him to speak. As William put his hand on the captain's head, Gérard suddenly jumped out from a dark corner. He quickly pulled out his pistols and fired two shots at William. William the Silent fell to the ground. His sister was nearby, but it was too late.
The exact words William said before he died are not fully known. However, a famous story says he was asked if he believed in Christ, and he said yes. His legendary last words are said to be, "My God, have mercy on me and on my poor people." Most historians today believe William likely died instantly from the shots. Still, these words remain a very important part of Dutch history.
Gérard tried to escape through a side door and ran across a narrow lane. Roger Williams chased after him. Gérard almost reached the city walls, where he planned to jump into the moat. A horse was waiting for him on the other side. He even had a pig's bladder around his waist to help him float. However, he tripped over some trash. A servant and a guard from the prince's house caught him.
When his captors called him a traitor, Gérard reportedly replied, "I am no traitor; I am a loyal servant of my lord." When asked which lord, he said, "Of my lord and master, the king of Spain." More guards arrived and dragged him back to the house, hitting him. When he heard them talking and thought William might still be alive, he cried, "Cursed be the hand that missed!"
This shooting is important because it was the first time a leader of a country was killed with a firearm. It would be over 200 years before another leader was killed this way.
What Happened Next
Instead of the 25,000 crowns reward, King Philip II gave Gérard's parents three country estates in Franche-Comté. His family was also given a special noble title. Later, Philip II even offered these estates to William the Silent's son, Philip William, Prince of Orange. But this offer was insulting, as it would mean William's son would have to pay part of the rent to the family of his father's killer. The offer was refused, and the estates stayed with the Gérard family.
Legacy
The village of Vuillafans, where Gérard was born, renamed the street where he lived "Rue Gérard" in his memory.
See also
In Spanish: Balthasar Gérard para niños
