The Surrender of the Town of Alkmaar by the Dutch by Robert Hillingford (GL)
After capturing Haarlem, the Spanish troops of the Duke of Alva moved to take Alkmaar, 20 miles to the northwest of Amsterdam. Alvas natural son Don Frederic of Toledo again commanded the attack. With 16,000 men the Spaniard struck the city on August 21, 1573. He was beaten off by a stubborn defense carried out by only 2,000 soldiers and armed townspeople. Don Frederic then laid siege to the city. The Alkmaarites retaliated by opening the dikes and flooding the land. An inland Spanish fleet under the Comte Bossu (Jean de Henin-Lietard) sought to come up to help the besiegers. It was met in the Zuider Zee by a Dutch naval force under Admiral Dirkzoon. The Dutch destroyed the Spanish ships, capturing Bossu. On October 8 the Spanish had to abandon the siege. Alkmaar thus became the first city in the Netherlands to resist successfully the iron hand of Phillip II. It was also Alvas last battle against the Dutch; he was succeeded by Don Luis de Requesens. (It is likely the artist has mixed up the name of the town of Alkmaar with the captured city of Haarlem)
Limited edition of 200 giclee canvas prints. Image size 36 inches x 24 inches (91cm x 61cm). Price £375.00
Limited edition of 200 giclee canvas prints. Image size 30 inches x 20 inches (76cm x 51cm). Price £290.00
ITEM CODE GITW0208
