Battle of Haarlemmermeer explained

52.3758°N 4.6831°W

Conflict:Battle of Haarlemmermeer
Partof:the Eighty Years' War
Date:26 May 1573
Place:Haarlemmermeer
(present-day the Netherlands)
Result:Spanish victory
Combatant1:Dutch Republic Geuzen
Combatant2:Spain
Amsterdam
Commander1:Marinus Brandt
Commander2:Count of Bossu
Strength1:150 warships[1] [2]
Strength2:100 warships
Casualties1:21 ships captured
Casualties2:Low

The Battle of Haarlemmermeer was a naval engagement fought on 26 May 1573, during the early stages of the Dutch War of Independence. It was fought on the waters of the Haarlemmermeer – a large lake which at the time was a prominent feature of North Holland (it would be drained in the 19th century).

A Spanish fleet and a fleet belonging to the city of Amsterdam (at the time still loyal to Spain),[3] commanded by the Count of Bossu, fought a fleet of rebellious Dutch Geuzen, commanded by Marinus Brandt, who were trying to break the siege of Haarlem. After several hours of fighting, the Geuzen were forced to retreat.

Trivia

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is situated in what used to be the Haarlemmermeer.

References

Notes and References

  1. Fernández Duro p. 274
  2. Harbottle p. 104
  3. https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/nl/collectie/SK-A-602 Rijksmuseum