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William II of the Netherlands

The Hague, 6 Dec 1792 – Tilburg, 17 Mar 1849

11 facts3 sources

Facts and their sources

A life in time

  1. 6 Dec 1792

    Born in The Hague

  2. 1817–1824

    5 children are born

  3. 1840–1849

    Monarch of Luxembourg

  4. 1840–1849

    King of the Netherlands

  5. 17 Mar 1849

    Dies in Tilburg, aged 56

Family

See the tree

Parents

Partner

Children · 5

During his lifetime

He lived through 6 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around The Hague.

General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.

The 1790s · William II is born in The Hague

In the news1795

The Batavian Revolution occurs

French troops invaded, Stadtholder William V fled to England, and the Batavian Republic was proclaimed, ending the old regime.

What people wore

Daily work clothes and makeshift rain protection

On workdays, men often wore long, unpainted linen tunics and skirts, while children wore woolen-linen tunics that reached their feet until they were seven or eight years old. When it rained, farmers used the wide brims of their hats as improvised umbrellas by releasing the horsehair ribbon that held the brim up.

Getting around

Time measured distance for Dutch travelers

Dutch people often calculated distance by the time a journey took rather than by miles, with trekschuits moving at a steady rate of about four miles per hour. A trip from Amsterdam to Utrecht typically took around nine hours.

The French Revolution. Parisians stormed the Bastille in 1789; the monarchy fell, the king was executed, and “liberty, equality, fraternity” spread across Europe.In Europe · 1789–1799

The French Revolution. Parisians stormed the Bastille in 1789; the monarchy fell, the king was executed, and “liberty, equality, fraternity” spread across Europe.

Unidentified painter · public domain

In the news1799

Dissolution of the old provinces

The historic provincial system was formally dissolved, replacing the old provinces with new administrative departments named after local rivers.

Music

Revolutionary dancing and bell ringing

During the 1795 revolutionary celebrations, children and adults danced together around freedom trees to music, including the popular French-inspired tune La Carmagnole. Revolutionary festivities were often strictly directed by local authorities and featured loud, coordinated bell-ringing to stir emotion.

Daily life

Early child labor and household duties

Children often left school at age twelve to work twelve-hour days in factories or workshops, as permitted by law. Before and after these long shifts, they were expected to help with household chores, such as watering garden vegetables or assisting with cleaning.