Balthasar+Gerard

 Balthasar Gerard was basically the Lee Harvey Oswald to William I of Orange. Gerard was born in 1557 in Franche-Comte. He assassinated William I of Orange on July 10 1584. Gerard had eleven siblings and grew up Roman Catholic.

 Gerard studied law at the University of Dole. He left Luxemburg when he heard that someone tried to assassinate William I, so in order for Gerard to assassinate William he had to go into Prinsenhof and claim that he was going to church. The day of the shooting Gerard was in a dark corner on the second floor of the Prinsenhof. A Welsh captain by the name of Roger Williams was visiting William I, who was putting his hand on the captain's head. Then out of nowhere, Gerard attacked and killed William I of Orange.

 At the trial, Gerard was said to show no despair or remorse. Gerard stated while being interrogated, “Like David, he had slain Goliath of Gath.” Gerard was tortured very badly. He was burnt, branded, nails were struck into his hands and feet. He was finally executed on July 14, 1584. Philip II was supposed to give Gerards parents 25,000 crowns but instead gave them three country estates.

 Gerard was a very messed up person. He seemed to have liked taking pain. His parents sold him out. He lived to be no older than 26 or 27, but in the French village of Vuillafans a street was renamed “Rue Gerard” in his memory.