William of Orange's aims

Within a few years William made clear his opposition to religious persecution in mettings of the Council of State and, following Granvelle’s fall, he pressed the Regent to moderate the heresy laws.

William always believed that a difference of belief does not merit punishment.

1568 first invasion of the Netherlands, Orange instructed there to be no molesting of Catholic communities

1559 Orange remained loyal to Philip and got granted with the offices of Stadholder of Holland, Zealand and Utrecht. Also in this year, Orange led attack on Granvelle and broke the power of the inner council previously set up to advise Margaret of Parma. Orange at this stage had no intention of achieving anything other than…