William of Orange sent an army of some 4,000 men to relieve besieged Haarlem. Follow their march through Heemstede.

William of Orange, Lieutenant-General Willem van Bronkhorst-Batenburg, Gaspard van der Noot and their opponent Francisco de Valdés.

Maps, reconstructions and unique finds. Research into the battlefield is still ongoing.

The Forgotten Battle of Heemstede

1573

What began as a brave rescue attempt turned into a bloody defeat. 700 dead, lost banners, abandoned weapons and an army that fled, shattered, into the marshland.

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Spanish horsemen under Francisco de Valdés strike the relief army’s infantry in the flank — Francisco de Valdés leads a flank attack on the infantry at the Herenweg

The Route

William of Orange sent an army of some 4,000 men to relieve besieged Haarlem. Follow their march through Heemstede.

View the route

The Commanders

William of Orange, Lieutenant-General Willem van Bronkhorst-Batenburg, Gaspard van der Noot and their opponent Francisco de Valdés.

Meet the commanders

Finds & Research

Maps, reconstructions and unique finds. Research into the battlefield is still ongoing.

Explore the research

The true story behind a forgotten battle

The downfall of William of Orange’s relief army on its way to Haarlem, through Heemstede. History, archaeology and reconstruction in one book.

The book reveals the complete story of a forgotten battle, the route of the relief army, portraits of the commanders, and maps, reconstructions and unique finds.

More about the book

Cover of The Forgotten Battle of Heemstede 1573

“Haarlem is in urgent need of help.”

William of Orange

Facts & Reconstructions

Haarlem had been under siege since 1572. William of Orange sent an army of some 4,000 men; 700 of them were killed and the army was routed. The defeat had major consequences for the siege of Haarlem.

What we are still reconstructing: the exact line of march and column formation, the Spanish positions and troop strength, the course of the fighting, and what happened to the dead and their equipment.

Explore the research