history
William the Silent
The man who founded the Netherlands was shot dead on a Delft staircase — by a Catholic with a 25,000-guilder bounty on his head.
William of Orange (1533–1584) led the Dutch revolt against Spanish rule. King Philip II of Spain put a price on his head. Balthasar Gérard collected it.
William the Silent (called "Silent" not because he was quiet but because he was politically discreet) was raised Catholic at the Habsburg court before switching sides and leading the Dutch revolt against Spain. After three failed attempts, Balthasar Gérard finally shot him on 10 July 1584 in the Prinsenhof, Delft, with two wheel-lock pistols. Gérard was caught, tortured for four days, and executed. The bullet holes remain visible. William's assassination is sometimes called the first political assassination by firearm in recorded history.