Fall of Antwerp
1585 end of siege by Spanish forces against a Dutch garrison in Eighty Years' War / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the Siege and outcome of the 1584–1585 siege of Antwerp during the Eighty Years' War. For other battles involving a siege of this city, see Siege of Antwerp.
The fall of Antwerp (Dutch: val van Antwerpen [vɑl vɑn ˈɑntʋɛrpə(n)]) on 17 August 1585 took place during the Eighty Years' War, after a siege lasting over a year from July 1584 until August 1585. The city of Antwerp was the focal point of the Protestant-dominated Dutch Revolt, but was forced to surrender to the Spanish forces under the command of Alessandro Farnese. Under the terms agreed, all the Protestants of Antwerp were given four years to settle their affairs and leave the city. Many migrated north, especially to Amsterdam. Apart from losing a high proportion of its middle class and mercantile population, Antwerp's trade suffered for two centuries afterwards as Dutch forts blockaded the River Scheldt until 1795.
Quick Facts Date, Location ...
Fall of Antwerp | |||||||
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Part of the Eighty Years' War | |||||||
Parma's bridge over the Scheldt in 1585, built of ships. | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
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Commanders and leaders | |||||||
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Strength | |||||||
80,000 men (inhabitants) | 10,000 infantrymen, 1,700 cavalrymen | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
8,000 | ~1,800 |
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