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WILLIAM I. Owing, however, to the Spanish monarch's lack of faith, war was resumed, and the patriots suf- fered a great defeat. At Gembloux (January 31, 1.578) John of Austria's successor, Alex- ander Farnese, succeeded in detaching the Wal- loon provinces from the league. On the other hand, William brought about the formation of the Union of Utrecht (1579), wnich com- prised the provinces of Holland. Zealand, Utrecht, Gelderland. Groningen, Friesland, and Overyssel, and marked the birth of the Dutch Repulilic. In 1581 the United Provinces declared Philip de- posed and, in accordance with William's desire, chose as their ruler the Duke of Anjou, brother of Henry III. of France. The Duke, however, abandoned the country in 1582. In 1580 Philip had. by Granvella's advice, put a price of 25.000 gold crowns on William's head, and on July 10, 1584. he was assassinated at Delft by Balthasar Gerard. In personal relations William was frank and generous. His piety and integrity were unquestioned, and his sagacity, courage, and determined will made him a leader of men. Consult: Harrison, William the Silent (Lon- don. 1897); Putnam, William the Silent, Prince of Orange (New York, 1895); Jlotley, Rise of the Dutch Republic (1856); Gaehard (ed.), Vor- resijondunce de (luillaume le Taciturne, Prince d'Oranfie (Brussels, 1847-66); Klose, Wilhelin I. von Oi-anien (Leipzig, 1864): Juste, fjuillaiime Ic Taciturne d'apres sa corrcspondance et les papiers d'6tat (Brussels, 1875).

WILLIAM I. Landgrave (as such William IX.) and later Elector (William I.) of Hesse- Cassel. See Hesse-Cassel.

WILLIAM II. Elector of Hesse-Cassel. See He.sse-C.s.sel.

WILLIAM IX., Duke of Aquitaine and Count of Poitou (as such William VIL) (1071-1127). The first Provencal poet whose songs have come down to us. He began his reign in 1087, and much of his life was spent in warfare with his neighbors. He twice con- quered Toulouse, led a plundering expedition into Normandy, and engaged in other sanguinary contlicts. In 1100 he undertook a crusade with 60.000 men, but met with a disastrous defeat and fled almost alone. He succeeded, however, in reaching Jerusalem. On his way home he suf- fered shipwreck, but he reached his native land in 1103. His experience as a warrior of the cross did not amend his life, which was noto- riously licentious and irreligious. In his conflicts with the Church he was twice excommunicated. Most of his poetry is as loose as was his life. It is. however, of special historical interest as marking the transition from popular to art forms. A romance dealing with a disreputable adventure is closest to the folk-poetry, though some of his songs also are simple in structure. Sonic, on the other hand, are decidedly conven- tional and show him making use of the formulas of devoted lady service, a fact which tends to demonMrate the existence of a j)revious lyric literature which has been lost. One song, prob- ably composed just before his death, expresses repentance, renunciation of worldly pleasures, and the turning of his heart to Ood. An incom- plete edition of his works was published by Hol- land and Keller (Tiibingcn, ISiJO). Consult Sachse, Ueher das Leben und die Licdcr des IX., Graf von PoitOM Troubadours Wilhelm (Leipzig, 1882).

WILLIAM,. ( I ) A Hessian order with four classes, founded in 1851 by the Elector Frederick William and extinguished in 1866. The red cross of the order shows a golden lion with the inscription Virtute et fidelitate, with a crown and the initials W. K. on the reverse. (2) A military order of the Netherlands with four classes, founded by King William in 1815. The decoi-ation is a white cross with Burgundian crosses of laurel between the arms, on which is the legend ^'oor moed. beleid, tronw ('for valor, prudence, fidelity.') The medallion shows the in- itial W with a "laurel wreath. (3) A Prussian order with one class for men and women, founded in 1896 by King William II. It is designed to commemorate the Imperial proclamation at Ver- sailles and is conferred as a distinction for ser- vices in elevating the people. The decoration is a medal ssrrounded by a wreath, bearing the bust of Emperor William I., and on the reverse the initials of William II. with a crown and the legend, Wirlce iin Audcnkcn an Kaiser WillieUn den Grosscn.

WILLIAM AND MARY COLLEGE. An institution of learning at Williamsburg, Va., founded in 1093, the second oldest college in the United States. Grants of land had already been obtained in 1619 for the establishment of a collegiate institution near Richmond, and a collegiate school was established at Charles City in 1021, but the plan was frustrated by the Indian massacres of 1622. In 1660 the grants were renewed and in 1693 a charter was secured from King William and Queen Mary by the Rev. .Tames Blair, who became the first president of the college. The institution received a penny a pound on exports of tobacco and various other privileges, including the profits from the office of Sur- veyor-General of Virginia. The college attained rapid prosperity, but it suffered heavily in the Revolution through the loss of its endowments and the occupation of its buildings by the contending troops (1781), but with the exception of a short interval it was in session until the Civil War. when it was occupied by the Federal troops and much of its property was destroyed. It was reopened in 1860. but from 1881 to 1888 was so crippled financially that it was forced to suspend instruc- tion. In the latter year an annual State appro- iniation of .$10.000". later increased to $15,000, enaljled it to resume work, and in 1893 Congress- granted an indemnity of .$64,000 for its losses during the Civil Wiir. The college ofl'ers two courses — the collegiate, leading to the degrees of B... and M.... and (he normal. With the latter the Matthew Whaley Model and Practice School is connected. In 1903 it had a stiident attendance of 165. 12 instructors, a library of about 10.000 volumes, and an income of $21,600. Its endow- ment was $132,500, and the buildings and grounds were valued at $150,000. The college has a distinguished list of graduates, among them Presidents .TefTerson. Monroe. Tyler, and Harrison. Chief Jiistice .Tolm INIarsball. and Gen. Winfield Scott. The Phi Beta Kappa Frater- nity (q.v.) was established at William and Mary in 1776.

WILLIAM AUGUSTUS, (1721-65)). An  English commander. He