Siege of Bergen op Zoom (1622) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Siege of Bergen op Zoom (1622) |
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| Part of the Eighty Years' War | |||||||
.jpg) Bergen op Zoom, circa 1620 |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 United Provinces |
 Spain |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Maurice, Prince of Orange Ernst von Mansfeld  Sir Robert Henderson † |
Ambrosio Spinola Hendrik van den Bergh Luis de Velasco |
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| Strength | |||||||
| Unknown | Unknown | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Unknown | Unknown | ||||||
The Siege of Bergen op Zoom in 1622 was an important battle during the Eighty Years' War. It happened from July 18 to October 2, 1622. During this time, a Spanish general named Ambrosio Spinola tried to capture the Dutch city of Bergen op Zoom.
Contents
What Happened Before
The Spanish army had tried to capture Bergen op Zoom once before, in 1588. That time, they were led by Alexander Farnese, the Duke of Parma. However, they failed to take the city. The city's defenders included soldiers from the Netherlands, England, and Scotland.
The people living in Bergen op Zoom were divided. Some were Protestants who wanted to fight against the Spanish. Others were Catholics who hoped the Spanish would take control.
The Siege Begins
General Spinola tried to trick the Dutch. He sent part of his army under Hendrik van den Bergh towards Cleves. Another part, led by Luis de Velasco, went to Steenbergen. Velasco's group successfully captured Steenbergen.
However, Bergen op Zoom did not fall easily. The city could still get supplies by sea. Also, the Dutch Navy often attacked the Spanish. These attacks caused many Spanish soldiers to be hurt or killed. A young gunner named Michiel de Ruyter, who later became a famous admiral, was part of these naval attacks.
Help Arrives
The Dutch leaders asked for help from German armies. These armies were led by Mansfeld and Christian of Brunswick. The Spanish sent their own army, led by Córdoba, to stop them. This led to the Battle of Fleurus in Belgium on August 22.
Even though the German armies lost many soldiers, Córdoba could not stop them from reaching Bergen op Zoom.
Fierce Fighting
In September 1622, after taking Steenbergen, Spinola and Velasco moved to fully besiege Bergen op Zoom. Prince Maurice, the Dutch leader, knew what the Spanish were planning. He sent Sir Robert Henderson to help defend the city. Henderson was put in charge of the soldiers inside Bergen op Zoom.
Sir Robert Henderson led a large attack from the city. About three or four thousand men took part. The Scottish and English soldiers led the way, followed by the Dutch, and then the French. This battle lasted all night and into the next morning. Sadly, Sir Robert Henderson was killed during this fight. He was known for his bravery and for always being at the front of the battle, encouraging his soldiers.
The Siege Ends
By October 2, the Spanish army, now led by Velasco, had to give up the siege. This happened because a new army arrived to help the Dutch. This army was led by the Dutch leader Maurice of Nassau, Prince of Orange and Ernst von Mansfeld.
What Happened After
Prince Maurice later wrote that the help from Nicolaas Schmelzing and his soldiers was very important. After the siege ended, the Dutch chased the Spanish. They managed to capture about 1,200 Spanish soldiers near the town of Ommen. The siege was very costly for General Spinola. He lost between 5,000 and 10,000 soldiers during the attempt to take Bergen op Zoom.
See also
In Spanish: Asedio de Bergen op Zoom para niños
