Founded in 1074, Delft rose to prominence in the 17th century as a major trading hub and the seat of the Dutch East India Company (VOC). The city played a pivotal role in the Dutch struggle for independence, serving as the residence of William the Orange, who was tragically assassinated there in 1584 and is entombed in the New Church. During this Golden Age, Delft also became a world-renowned center for art and industry, giving birth to the distinctive Delft Blue pottery and the masterful works of Johannes Vermeer.