Siege of Zierikzee

51°38′58.92″N 3°54′59.04″E / 51.6497000°N 3.9164000°E / 51.6497000; 3.9164000Result Spanish victoryBelligerents Dutch Republic Dutch Rebels Spain SpainCommanders and leaders Arend van der Dorp Cristóbal de MondragónStrength 1,200 3,000 infantry, 400 cavalry
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Eighty Years' War
OriginsList of battles

1566–1572

Western Europe

  • Beeldenstorm
  • Valenciennes
  • Wattrelos
  • Lannoy
  • Oosterweel
  • Dahlen
  • Heiligerlee
  • Jemmingen
  • Jodoigne
  • Le Quesnoy

1572–1576

Western Europe

European waters

1576–1579

Western Europe


1579–1588

Western Europe

European waters

Ten Years, 1588–1598

Western Europe

  • 1st Bergen op Zoom
  • 2nd Geertruidenberg
  • 2nd Breda
  • 2nd Zutphen
  • 2nd Deventer
  • Delfzijl
  • Knodsenburg
  • 1st Hulst
  • Nijmegen
  • Rouen
  • Caudebec
  • 2nd Steenwijk
  • 1st Coevorden
  • 1st Luxemburg
  • 3rd Geertruidenberg
  • 2nd Coevorden
  • Groningen
  • 2nd Luxemburg
  • Huy
  • 1st Groenlo
  • Lippe
  • 2nd Lier
  • Calais
  • 2nd Hulst
  • Turnhout
  • 2nd Rheinberg
  • 1st Meurs
  • 2nd Groenlo
  • Bredevoort
  • Enschede
  • Ootmarsum
  • 1st Oldenzaal
  • 1st Lingen
European waters
  • 1st English Channel · Flanders
  • Bayona Islands
  • Gulf of Almería
  • 1st Cádiz
  • Azores

1599–1609

Western Europe

European waters

Twelve Years' Truce, 1609–1621

Western Europe

  • Aachen

East Indies


1621–1648

Western Europe

European waters

Americas

East Indies


PeaceAftermathHistoriography

The siege of Zierikzee was a siege in the Eighty Years' War between October 1575 and July 1576.

History

When Modragón lay siege to the city, Zierikzee had had enough time to prepare their defenses because the preceding siege of Bommenede had taken Modragón 20 days, which was a long time for a relative small city.
The Spanish couldn't storm Zierikzee, and therefore tried to cut off all supplies to the city. Until February 1576, despite heavy fire, small Dutch vessels were able to reach and supply the city. the defenders also did several sorties which inflicted casualties and damage on the Spanish. But by March, the Spanish had sealed all access to the city.

The Dutch under Admiral Lodewijk van Boisot and William the Silent made 3 attempts to break the siege. On 11 April a major sea battle was fought, but ended indecisively. A second attack on 27 May failed because the Spanish had been warned. Furthermore, Admiral Boisot was killed. After a third failed attempt, the Dutch withdrew on 13 June.

Hunger now forced the defenders to start negotiations, which were concluded on 29 July. The garrison was allowed to leave the city, but Zierikzee had to pay 100,000 gulden. The city was occupied by the Spanish. But on 12 July a mutiny broke out among the Spanish troops, who didn't receive their long overdue and promised pay. They extorted money and goods from the population and abandoned Zierikzee on 3 November. They headed to Brabant, and Modragón had no option but to follow his troops.

  • The Low Countries in 1576 just after the taking of Zierikzee
    The Low Countries in 1576 just after the taking of Zierikzee
  • The Low Countries one year later after the mutinies
    The Low Countries one year later after the mutinies

References

Sources

  • VAN OPSTAND TOT OORLOG (in Dutch) (p107-p 110)