Balthasar Gérard

Murderer of Dutch independence leader William the Silent in 1584

Balthazar Gérard (c. 1557 – 14 July 1584) was the assassin of the Dutch revolt's leader, William the Silent of the House of Orange. He was one of the first recorded people to assassinate a head of state with a firearm. Gérard was tortured and then executed for the assassination, in a manner considered brutal even by the standards of the 16th century.

From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA. More on occurri.