All Battles

Battle of Heiligerlee

1568 • Groningen Feldschlacht

Historical Overview

First victory of the rebels against Spanish troops; official start of the war.

Quick Facts

Outcome:Dutch victory.

Dutch Rebels

  • Commander: Ludwig von Nassau
  • Strength: ca. 3.900
  • Casualties: ca. 50

Kingdom of Spain

  • Commander: Jean de Ligne †
  • Strength: ca. 3.200
  • Casualties: ca. 1.500

Strategic Context

Attempt by the House of Orange to launch an invasion of the provinces.

Conflict / War

Eighty Years' War

Dutch victory.

Related Literature

Cover of Der Bauernkrieg: Deutschlands großer Volksaufstand

Der Bauernkrieg: Deutschlands großer Volksaufstand

Peasants’ War16th CenturyNarrative Non-fiction

German
Early Modern Period
Lexikon der Renaissance

Lexikon der Renaissance

RenaissanceNon-fictionEuropean History

Early Modern Period

Historical Locations

Interactive map requires third-party cookie consent.