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Francisco de Valdés and the flank attack at the Herenweg

What began as a brave rescue attempt turned into a bloody defeat. At the Herenweg, on the road to besieged Haarlem, the relief army’s infantry was struck in the flank by Spanish horsemen under Francisco de Valdés.

Haarlem had been under siege since 1572. William of Orange sent an army of some 4,000 men to relieve the city. Its route led through Heemstede, across the marshland into which the shattered army would flee after the attack.

What do we know?

The outcome is certain: 1.400 men were killed and the army was routed. Banners were lost and weapons left behind. The defeat had major consequences for the siege of Haarlem.

Haarlem is in urgent need of help.

William of Orange

What are we reconstructing?

Much of how the battle unfolded is still being researched. Using maps, sources and finds, we are reconstructing, among other things:

  • The exact line of march and column formation
  • The Spanish positions and troop strength
  • The course of the fighting
Four men beside two field guns in the dunes
The relief army’s field guns

In upcoming articles we follow the relief army’s route step by step, and meet the commanders on both sides of the battlefield.

 

Francisco de Valdés and the flank attack at the Herenweg

What began as a brave rescue attempt turned into a bloody defeat. At the Herenweg, on the road to besieged Haarlem, the relief army’s infantry was struck in the flank by Spanish horsemen under Francisco de Valdés.

Haarlem had been under siege since 1572. William of Orange sent an army of some 4,000 men to relieve the city. Its route led through Heemstede, across the marshland into which the shattered army would flee after the attack.

What do we know?

The outcome is certain: 1.400 men were killed and the army was routed. Banners were lost and weapons left behind. The defeat had major consequences for the siege of Haarlem.

Haarlem is in urgent need of help.

William of Orange

What are we reconstructing?

Much of how the battle unfolded is still being researched. Using maps, sources and finds, we are reconstructing, among other things:

  • The exact line of march and column formation
  • The Spanish positions and troop strength
  • The course of the fighting
Four men beside two field guns in the dunes
The relief army’s field guns

In upcoming articles we follow the relief army’s route step by step, and meet the commanders on both sides of the battlefield.