# William of Orange — The Great Roxhythe character guide > William of Orange in The Great Roxhythe by Georgette Heyer. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** William, Prince William, Orange, William of Nassau, Nassau **First appearance:** 0010-vii-william-of-orange ## Snapshot A young Dutch stadtholder so austere and self-contained that even Charles II is warned he has met his match in intrigue. ## Who they are William of Nassau moves through European politics with a cold discipline that unnerves the pleasure-loving English court, inspiring absolute loyalty in servants who would sooner die than betray him. Roxhythe, returning from Holland, warns the King plainly: 'The Orange is a man, and one who must not be forgotten.' His refusal to unbend, his air of gloom and calculation, marks him as the coming power against whom Charles must guard — a shadow over every negotiation that follows. ## Relationships ### [Lord Roxhythe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/characters/lord_roxhythe) _rivalry_ Lord Roxhythe and William of Orange are adversaries, with Roxhythe working to counter William's ambitions and influence in England. ### [King Charles II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/characters/king_charles_ii) _rivalry_ King Charles II and William of Orange are wary rivals, with Charles seeking to maintain English independence from Dutch influence. ### [Lord Roxhythe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/characters/lord_roxhythe) _rivalry_ Lord Roxhythe and William of Orange are adversaries, with Roxhythe working to counter William's ambitions and influence in England. ### [King Charles II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/characters/king_charles_ii) _rivalry_ King Charles II and William of Orange are wary rivals, with Charles seeking to maintain English independence from Dutch influence. ### [Lord Roxhythe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/characters/lord_roxhythe) _rivalry_ Lord Roxhythe and William of Orange are adversaries, with Roxhythe working to counter William's ambitions and influence in England. ### [King Charles II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/characters/king_charles_ii) _rivalry_ King Charles II and William of Orange are wary rivals, with Charles seeking to maintain English independence from Dutch influence. ## In the story ### [I: The King and His Favourite](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/i-the-king-and-his-favourite) Discussed as the King's nephew and potential pawn in the scheme to overthrow De Witt and become Stadtholder. ### [VI: Roderick Dart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/vi-roderick-dart) Referenced as the young Prince whose household Roderick serves; Roxhythe seeks a secret audience with him. ### [VII: William of Orange](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/vii-william-of-orange) Receives Roxhythe in secret, displaying sharp intelligence and skepticism about King Charles's motives. ### [IX: The King of England](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/ix-the-king-of-england) Described by Roxhythe as a remarkable, astute, and honest youth who rejected the King's overtures and is to be feared as a future great leader. ### [II: The Offer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/ii-the-offer) Mentioned as a child Roxhythe once cared for; Charles believes he will become a future power and wants to placate him. ### [XI: Unrest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/xi-unrest) Rises to power in Holland, becomes Captain-General, and is suspected by Christopher of involvement in the De Witt murders. ### [II: The Coming of William](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/ii-the-coming-of-william) Arrives at Whitehall, is presented to the court, and later retires to his bedchamber, showing discomfort with the lavish surroundings. ### [III: La Kéroualle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/iii-la-k-roualle) Walks with Roxhythe in the gardens, expresses distrust of Roxhythe's past actions, and discusses the proposed marriage to Lady Mary. ### [V: Discord](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/v-discord) Marries Lady Mary; triumphs partially in the peace negotiations, keeping Holland inviolate. ### [VIII: The Haven](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/viii-the-haven) Interviews Christopher, tests his trust and morals, and grants him a commission in the army. ### [I: The Triple Game](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/i-the-triple-game) Mentioned as a Protestant heir favored by Temple; Roxhythe secretly supports this option but hides it from Shaftesbury. ### [IV: The King His Triumph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/iv-the-king-his-triumph) Visits London to negotiate an alliance against France and extracts a promise from the King. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/characters/william_of_orange - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/characters