Like others of his family before him he came to The Netherlands to support his uncle, the Prince of Orange, in his struggle with Spain. In the battle for Coevorden, in 1580, he was badly wounded. In 1584 he became 'Stadhouder' of Friesland, in 1585 of Groningen and, in 1593, of Drente. He earned himself the Friesian nickname of 'Us Heit' (our father). While Stadhouder of Friesland he found the internal troubles almost as difficult as the Spanish threat. At one stage he was considered as a possible husband for Maria, the Prince of Orange's eldest daughter, but Wilhelm Ludwig preferred the younger Anna. His father's objections delayed the marriage several years. Sadly, less than a year after the marriage Anna died and Wilhelm Ludwig never married again but dedicated himself to the struggle with Spain. He died thirty-two years later in Leeuwarden. 
 
 

Source: Leo van de Pas