The first scholarly biography of William the Silent published in English for fifty years, William of Orange and the Revolt of the Netherlands, 1572-1584 is invaluable for providing an up-to-date assessment of William and the revolt of the Netherlands. Despite the European significance of his struggle, there has not been a major English language study of William since C.V. Wedgwood's biography published in 1944. As such scholars will welcome this publication of Koen Swart's distinguished and authoritative biography of the first of the hereditary stadholders of the United Provinces. Originally available only in Dutch, this edition provides an English speaking audience for the first time with a detailed account of William's role in the Dutch Revolt reflecting the vast amount of scholarship undertaken in the field of European political and religious history over the last few decades.

Contents: Foreword, H.F.K. van Nierop and M.E.H.N. Mout, K.W. Swart: his career as a historian, Jonathan I. Israel, From 'Loyal Servant' to 'Irreconcilable Opponent' of Spain: Koenraad Swart's Interpretation of William of Orange, 1533-72, Alastair Duke, The Defence of Holland and Zeeland, 1572-76: Orange's finest hour; The religious revolution; The new political order; The baptism of fire withstood; Fruitless attempts to win foreign support; Marriage to Charlotte de Bourbon; Better war than an uncertain peace; Renewed Spanish offensive; The offer of supreme authority; Abandoned by the whole world; The Whole Fatherland in Revolt, 1576-77: Orange's triumph; The Brussels coup d'état; The Pacification of Ghent; Triumph in the duel with Don John; Orange becomes one of Queen Elizabeth's best friends; Entrusted with the leadership of the country's government; Plans for marriages between Orange's and Aerschot's children; The mutability of all earthly things; The General Union Falls Apart, 1578-79: Holding court in the castle of Antwerp; The beginning of Orange's conflict with Ghent; Holland and Zeelan'd stubborn self-will and the Union of Utrecht; Money is the sinew of war; Ghent temporarily taken in hand; Parma's first successes; The failure of the Cologne peace negotiations; Declining popularity; Outlawry and Apology, 1580; Fruitless Attempts to Turn The Spanish Tide, 1579-83: The war drags on at a snail's pace; Failed attempts to reform the government; Anjou chosen as overlord; Reasons for Orange's unfortunate French policy; Anjou's short-lived rule; The Bitter End, 1583-84; The disastrous consequences of the French Fury; Reconcilation with Anjou; Return to Holland; Further enemy gains of territory; Count of Holland; Orange's political testament; The assassination of Orange; Bibliography: Archives, Pamphlets, Published sources and literature to 1800, Literature since 1800; Index.