Siege of Zierikzee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Siege of Zierikzee |
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| Part of the Eighty Years' War | |||||||
 The siege of Zierikzee |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Dutch Rebels |
 Spain |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Arend van der Dorp | Cristóbal de Mondragón | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 1,200 | 3,000 infantry, 400 cavalry | ||||||
The Siege of Zierikzee was an important event during the Eighty Years' War, a long conflict where the Dutch fought for their freedom from Spanish rule. This siege happened in the city of Zierikzee (in what is now Zeeland, Netherlands) from October 1575 to July 1576. It was a time when Spanish forces tried to take control of the city by surrounding it and cutting off its supplies.
Contents
The Siege Begins
The Spanish army, led by Cristóbal de Mondragón, started to surround Zierikzee in October 1575. The people of Zierikzee had some time to get ready for the attack. This was because the Spanish had spent 20 days trying to capture a smaller nearby city called Bommenede. This gave Zierikzee's defenders a chance to strengthen their walls and gather supplies.
The Spanish realized they couldn't just rush into Zierikzee. So, they decided to try and starve the city into surrender. This meant stopping all food and supplies from reaching the people inside.
Early Days of the Siege
For several months, until February 1576, small Dutch ships managed to get through the Spanish blockade. These brave ships brought much-needed supplies to the city, even under heavy fire from the Spanish. The defenders of Zierikzee also made surprise attacks, called "sorties," outside the city walls. These attacks caused problems for the Spanish army and damaged their positions.
However, by March, the Spanish had tightened their grip. They managed to block all ways into the city. This meant no more supplies could get in, and hunger began to set in for the people of Zierikzee.
Dutch Attempts to Break the Siege
The Dutch, led by Admiral Lodewijk van Boisot and William the Silent, tried three times to break the Spanish siege and help Zierikzee.
- First Attempt: On April 11, a big sea battle took place. Both sides fought hard, but neither side won a clear victory.
- Second Attempt: On May 27, the Dutch tried again. Sadly, this attack failed because the Spanish had been warned about it. During this attempt, Admiral Boisot was killed, which was a big loss for the Dutch.
- Third Attempt: After a third try also failed, the Dutch forces had to give up on June 13. They pulled back, leaving Zierikzee to face the siege alone.
The City Falls
With no hope of outside help and food running out, the people of Zierikzee were forced to talk with the Spanish. They reached an agreement on July 29, 1576. The defenders were allowed to leave the city safely. However, Zierikzee had to pay a huge amount of money, 100,000 gulden, to the Spanish.
The Spanish army then took control of the city.
Spanish Mutiny
Even though the Spanish had won, problems quickly arose. On July 12, a mutiny (a rebellion by soldiers against their leaders) broke out among the Spanish troops. The soldiers had not been paid for a long time, and they were very angry.
They demanded money and goods from the people of Zierikzee. After getting what they wanted, they left Zierikzee on November 3. Their commander, Mondragón, had no choice but to follow his unpaid troops as they marched towards Brabant.
Images for kids
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The Low Countries in 1576 just after the taking of Zierikzee
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The Low Countries one year later after the mutinies
Sources
- VAN OPSTAND TOT OORLOG (in Dutch) (p107-p 110)
See also
In Spanish: Asedio de Zierikzee (1576) para niños
