After the Battle of Heiligerlee Louis of Nassau failed to capture the city Groningen. Louis was driven away by Fernando Álvarez de Toledo, Duke of Alva and defeated at the Battle of Jemmingen (also known as Battle of Jemgum, at Jemgum in East Frisia) on 21 July 1568.

Forces

The Spanish army consisted of 12,000 infantry (4 tercios), 3,000 cavalry, and some cannons. Louis of Nassau opposed them with 10,000 infantry (2 groups), some cavalry, and 16 cannons.

Battle

After three hours of skirmishes, Louis' army left its trenches and advanced. Pounded by effective musket fire and intimidated by the Spanish cavalry, the advance turned into a general retreat towards the river Ems.

Aftermath

On May 19 1571 a statue of the Duke, cast from one of the captured bronze cannons, was placed in Antwerp citadel. It was removed after a few years later and forgotten. In 1577 the statue was destroyed by an angry crowd.

External links

• The Battle of Jemmingen