Siege and Capture of Brielle [by the ‘Watergeuzen’] (April 1st, 1572)
Copper engraving by Frans Hogenberg.
1572-1590
● Inscriptions:
BRIELE. [Brielle]
2. Am ersten des Monats Aprill, // Verlor Duc D’ Alba seinen brill // Daß hatt im sein gesicht geschweckt // Vnd gekost seher vill stultzer knecht // Die er in Hollant hatt gelaßen // Welches innen verdrauß der maßen // Daß er außgerißem ist mitt schand, // Vnd verwustet daß gantz Neiderland.
Anno Dni. M. D. LXXII. am I. APrill. [1 April 1572]
● Location: 1951: bequeathed to the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam by Dr. J.C.J. Bierens de Haan, Amsterdam
Current location: Rijksmuseum Amsterdam.
● Historical Context:
GEUZEN (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈɣøːzə(n)]; French: Les Gueux, English: the Beggars) was a name assumed by the confederacy of Calvinist Dutch nobles, who from 1566 on opposed Spanish rule in the Netherlands. The most successful group of them operated at sea, and so were called WATERGEUZEN (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈʋaːtərˌɣøːzə(n)]; French: Gueux de mer, English: Sea Beggars).
In the Eighty Years’ War, the Capture of Brielle by the Watergeuzen in 1572 provided the first foothold on land for the rebels, who would conquer the northern Netherlands and establish an independent Dutch Republic. They can be considered either as privateers or pirates, depending on the circumstances or motivations.
The Eighty Years’ War, better known as the Dutch War of Independence, was a revolt of the Seventeen Provinces, located in what is now roughly the Benelux, against the rule of Philip II of Spain, sovereign of the Habsburg Netherlands.
