About the Wilhelmus
The Wilhelmus has 15 verses, the first letters of which together spell the name WILLEM VAN NASSOV (William of Nassau). Only the first and sixth verses are usually sung.
The Wilhelmus was written during the Eighty Years’ War as a tribute to Prince William I of Orange, the leader of the Dutch revolt against Spanish domination. The writer is generally considered to have been Philip van Marnix, Seigneur of Sint Aldegonde (ca. 1538-1598), secretary to the Prince.