{∅, {∅}, {∅, {∅}}} : Rage Against the Meat Grinder

It is difficult to have pity for a mercenary, one who commits murder for money.

William of Orange, born in Germany in 1533 and brought up as a Lutheran, had become trusted by the Catholic King Philip II of Spain to the extent of being appointed governor general of Spain’s possessions in the northern parts of the Low Countries, which roughly equate to today’s Netherlands. Philip’s attempt to force Catholicism on a Protestant people was what led to rebellion and William’s silent refusal to continue to act as his agent.

Many acts of violence and cruelty followed, leading eventually, in 1580, to Philip putting a price on William’s head, namely 25,000 gold crowns to whoever might “deliver him unto us quick or dead”.

While I of course have sympathy for the kind of indescribable agony Balthasar Gerard experienced, my instincts tell me that this man was greedy for the 25,000 gold crowns offered by the King of Spain.

Balthazar Gerard was a fanatical Catholic who had managed to gain employment in William’s household.

After the murder, the reward was duly paid by King Philip to Gerard’s family.  Blood money.

I suppose there are at least two sides to every story.

It is not wise to do the dirty work of princes.