Juan Jauregui, attempted assassin of William I of Orange (b. 1562)

The Ill-Fated Plot: Juan de Jáuregui's Attempt on William I of Orange

In the politically charged atmosphere of the late 16th century, a young man named Juan de Jáuregui etched his name into history through a dramatic, albeit unsuccessful, assassination attempt on one of Europe's most pivotal figures, Prince William I of Orange, often known as William the Silent. Born in Bilbao, Biscay, in 1562, Jáuregui was barely twenty years old when he became entangled in a web of intrigue that would lead to his untimely death on March 18, 1582, in Antwerp.

The Seeds of a Conspiracy

By 1582, Juan de Jáuregui was working as an accounting assistant for Gaspar de Añastro, a wealthy Spanish fur merchant from Vitoria, who had taken up residence in Antwerp. De Añastro had suffered significant financial losses, including three ships, and his desperation made him susceptible to the enormous bounty offered by Philip II of Spain. Philip II, the staunchly Catholic monarch and ruler of the Spanish Netherlands, had issued a proscription against William I of Orange, the leader of the Dutch Revolt, in June 1580. The reward for William's assassination was a staggering sum—originally touted as 80,000 ducats and the prestigious habit of the Order of Santiago, a powerful military-religious order. However, the actual reward Philip II had promised was 25,000 escudos, a nobility title, and a pardon.

De Añastro, lacking the courage to undertake such a perilous task himself, enlisted the help of his cashier, Antonio de Venero, a 19-year-old also from Bilbao, and a Dominican friar named Antonio Timmerman from Dunkirk. Together, they convinced the impressionable Jáuregui to carry out the murder. For his part, Jáuregui was promised a sum of 2,877 crowns. He was not only led to believe that divine intervention would ensure the success of his attempt but also that he would be rendered invisible immediately afterward, guaranteeing his escape—a testament to the superstitious beliefs prevalent in the era.

The Attempt and Its Immediate Aftermath

The fateful day arrived on Sunday, March 18, 1582. As Prince William emerged from his dining-room, Juan de Jáuregui approached him, feigning the presentation of a petition. The moment William took the paper, Jáuregui swiftly produced a pistol and fired at the Prince's head. The weapon, however, was poorly designed and malfunctioned, preventing a clean shot. Nevertheless, one bullet struck William, piercing his neck just below the right ear and exiting near his left jaw-bone. Despite the severe injury, Prince William I of Orange ultimately survived the attack.

Jáuregui's escape, as promised by his conspirators, did not materialize. He was instantly impaled by the sword of a knight from William's retinue and then summarily dispatched by the Prince's halberdiers. A search of Jáuregui's corpse revealed a fascinating and unsettling collection of items: two pieces of castor fur, several crosses and amulets, a green wax candle—objects often associated with folk magic or protection—and several papers written in Spanish. Among these writings were religious vows pledging donations to various sacred figures, including Jesus Christ, Our Lady of Begoña, Our Lady of Arantzazu, Our Lady of Guadalupe at Hondarribia, and the Christ of Burgos. There was also a letter appealing to the goodwill of the Antwerpers, perhaps an attempt to garner sympathy or support after the deed.

Justice and Lingering Shadows

In the wake of the attack, Prince William I, despite his grave injuries, showed a measure of clemency by requesting a merciful execution for the surviving conspirators. Nevertheless, the justice of the time was brutal. Antonio de Venero and Friar Antonio Timmerman were publicly garroted on March 28, just ten days after the assassination attempt. Their bodies were then subjected to the gruesome spectacle of decapitation and quartering for public exhibition, a stark warning to any who might consider similar acts.

Meanwhile, Gaspar de Añastro, the orchestrator of the plot, had shrewdly departed for Wallonia on March 13, five days before Jáuregui's attempt. He subsequently claimed the reward promised by Philip II, approaching Alessandro Farnese, the Governor-General of the Spanish Netherlands. Añastro successfully secured the actual bounty: 25,000 escudos, a title of nobility, and a full pardon.

While William I of Orange made a slow recovery, thanks to the devoted care of his wife, Charlotte of Bourbon, and his sister Mary, the ordeal took a toll. Tragically, Charlotte died on May 5, barely two months after the attack, likely from complications exacerbated by the stress and strain of nursing her gravely wounded husband. The respite for William was temporary; he was finally shot and killed by the French Catholic zealot Balthasar Gérard on July 10, 1584, fulfilling Philip II's long-standing desire.

The entire incident, a significant event in the ongoing Dutch Revolt, was quickly documented and published by Christopher Plantin, a renowned printer in Antwerp. His "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, Antwerp, 1582" was disseminated in French, Flemish, and Spanish, ensuring that the details of Juan de Jáuregui's desperate act and its bloody consequences became widely known across Europe.

Frequently Asked Questions About Juan de Jáuregui

Who was Juan de Jáuregui?

Juan de Jáuregui was a young Biscayan man from Bilbao, born in 1562, who gained notoriety for his attempted assassination of Prince William I of Orange (William the Silent) in 1582.

What was his target?

His target was Prince William I of Orange, a key leader of the Dutch Revolt against Spanish rule and a prominent figure in 16th-century European politics.

When did the assassination attempt take place?

The assassination attempt occurred on Sunday, March 18, 1582.

Why did Jáuregui attempt the assassination?

Jáuregui was persuaded by his employer, Gaspar de Añastro, and two accomplices (Antonio de Venero and Antonio Timmerman) to carry out the murder. De Añastro was motivated by a large reward (80,000 ducats/25,000 escudos, nobility, and pardon) offered by Philip II of Spain for William's death. Jáuregui himself was promised 2,877 crowns and was deluded into believing he would receive divine favor and become invisible after the act.

What was the outcome for Jáuregui and his accomplices?

Jáuregui was killed on the spot by William's retinue immediately after firing his pistol. His accomplices, Antonio de Venero and Friar Antonio Timmerman, were garroted, decapitated, and quartered on March 28, 1582. Gaspar de Añastro, the primary instigator, escaped before the attempt and successfully claimed the reward from Philip II.

Did William I of Orange survive this attack?

Yes, William I of Orange miraculously survived Jáuregui's assassination attempt, though he sustained severe injuries. He ultimately succumbed to another assassin, Balthasar Gérard, on July 10, 1584.