Juan de Jáuregui (assassin) facts for kids
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Juan de Jáuregui (born in 1562) was a young man from Bilbao, a city in Spain. He is known for trying to harm Prince William of Orange in 1582. Sadly, Jáuregui was killed during this attempt.
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Who Was Juan de Jáuregui?
Juan de Jáuregui was born in 1562 in Biscay, a region in Spain. By 1582, he was working in Antwerp (a city in modern-day Belgium). He was an accounting assistant for a Spanish fur merchant named Gaspar de Añastro.
The Plot to Harm the Prince
Gaspar de Añastro had lost some ships and was hoping to get a big reward. Philip II of Spain had offered 80,000 ducats (a type of gold coin) and a special honor for anyone who could stop Prince William. Prince William was a very important leader in the Netherlands.
De Añastro was too scared to try himself. So, he convinced Jáuregui to do it. He had help from his cashier, Antonio de Venero, and a friar named Antonio Timmerman. They promised Jáuregui money and made him believe he would become invisible after the act. They also told him that his actions would be blessed.
A Daring Attempt
On March 18, 1582, Prince William was leaving his dining room. Jáuregui approached him, pretending to offer a paper. As the Prince took the paper, Jáuregui fired a pistol at his head.
The pistol did not work very well. However, one bullet hit Prince William in the neck. Even though he was badly hurt, Prince William survived this attack. Jáuregui was immediately attacked by the Prince's guards and killed on the spot.
What Happened Next?
After Jáuregui was killed, people searched his body. They found some strange items. These included pieces of fur, several crosses, and good luck charms. They also found a green wax candle and some papers written in Spanish.
The Prince's Recovery
Prince William was seriously injured. But he slowly got better thanks to the care of his wife, Charlotte of Bourbon, and his sister, Mary. Sadly, while William was recovering, Charlotte became ill and passed away on May 5, 1582.
Prince William asked for mercy for the people who helped Jáuregui. However, Venero and Timmerman were still executed on March 28. Gaspar de Añastro, the merchant who planned the attack, had already left Antwerp. He tried to claim the reward from Philip II.
The Plotters' Fate
The reward Philip II had promised was 25,000 escudos (another type of coin), a noble title, and a pardon. Even though Jáuregui failed, de Añastro still tried to get this reward.
Prince William eventually died later, on July 10, 1584. He was shot by a different person, a French Catholic named Balthasar Gérard.
The Story Lives On
The details of Jáuregui's attack were written down and published. A printer named Christopher Plantin published the story in French, Flemish, and Spanish in 1582. The book was called Bref recueil de l'assassinat, commis en la personne du Très Illustre Prince, Monseigneur le Prince d'Orange, Conte de Nassau, Marquis de la Vere, etc par Iean Iauregui Espaignol.
Among the papers found, there was a religious promise. It said Jáuregui would donate money to several important religious figures and places. There was also a letter that asked for good treatment from the people of Antwerp.
