Battle of Heiligerlee

Battle of Heiligerlee

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=Battle of Heiligerlee
partof=the Eighty Years' War


caption=
date=23 May,1568
place=Heiligerlee, Groningen
result=Dutch rebel victory
combatant1=Dutch rebels
combatant2=Spanish Friesland
commander1=Louis of Nassau Adolf of Nassau
commander2=Johan de Ligne
strength1=3,900 infantry 200 cavalry
strength2=3,200 infantry 20 cavalry
casualties1=50 dead or wounded
casualties2=1,500 – 2,000 dead, wounded, or captured

The Battle of Heiligerlee (Heiligerlee, Groningen, 23 May, 1568) was fought between Dutch rebels and the Spanish army of Friesland. This was the first Dutch victory during the Eighty Years' War.

The Groningen province of the Spanish Netherlands was invaded by an army consisting of 3,900 infantry led by Louis of Nassau and 200 cavalry led by Adolf of Nassau. Both were brothers of William I of Orange. The intention was to begin an armed uprising against the Spanish rulers of the Netherlands.

The Stadtholder of Friesland and also Duke of Aremberg, Johan de Ligne, had an army of 3,200 infantry and 20 cavalry.

Aremberg initially avoided confrontation, awaiting reinforcements. However on 23 May, Adolf's cavalry lured him to an ambush at the monastery of Heiligerlee. Louis' infantry, making up the bulk of the army, defeated the Spanish force which lost 1,500–2,000 men, while the invading force lost 50, including Adolf. The rebels captured seven cannons.

The invading force however, did not capture any cities and was soon defeated at the Battle of Jemmingen.

The death of Adolf of Nassau is mentioned in the Dutch national anthem (4th verse):

:"Graef Adolff is ghebleven, In Vriesland in den slaech,":"Count Adolf stayed behind, in Friesland, in the battle"


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Heiligerlee — (Gronings: Kloosterholt ) is a village in the Dutch province of Groningen bordering the town of Winschoten, it is part of the municipality of Scheemda. The village is known for having been the site of the first battle of the Dutch rebels against… …   Wikipedia

  • Battle of Jemmingen — Infobox Military Conflict conflict=Battle of Jemmingen partof=the Eighty Years War caption= The Battle of Jemmingen by Frans Hogenberg date=21 July, 1568 place=Jemmingen, East Frisia result=Decisive Spanish victory combatant1=Dutch rebels… …   Wikipedia

  • Battle of Puerto de Cavite — Part of Eighty Years War Date 10 June 1647 Location Puerto de Cavite in Manila Bay …   Wikipedia

  • Battle of Mookerheyde — Part of the Eighty Years War …   Wikipedia

  • Battle of Oosterweel — Infobox Military Conflict conflict=Battle of Oosterweel partof=the Eighty Years War caption=Battle of Oosterweel date=March 13, 1567 place=near Antwerp, present day Belgium result=Spanish victory combatant1=Dutch rebels combatant2= commander1=Jan …   Wikipedia

  • Louis of Nassau — Louis was a key figure in the revolt of the Netherlands against Spain, unlike his brother William, he was a strongly convinced Calvinist. He helped his brother in various ways including by arranging the marriage between William and his second… …   Wikipedia

  • Military history of the Netherlands — History of the Netherlands This article is part of a series Early History …   Wikipedia

  • Dutch Revolt — Part of Thirty Years War Prince Maurice at the Battle of Nieuwpoort by Pauwels van Hillegaert. Oil on canvas …   Wikipedia

  • List of battles (geographic) — This list of battles is organized geographically, by country in its present territory. For other lists of battles, see List of battles. Angola* Battle of Mbwila 1665 * Battle of Quifangondo 1975 * Battle of Cassinga 1978 * Battle of Cuito… …   Wikipedia

  • List of battles 1401–1800 — List of battles: before 601 601 1400 1401 1800 1801 1900 1901 2000 2001 current See also: List of American Revolutionary War battles Early 15th Century (1401 1450) * 1402 **Battle of Casalecchio January 26 Alberico da Barbiano for Milan defeats… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”