The siege of Alkmaar

The citizens of Alkmaar started to enhance the city’s defences at the beginning of July, pressured by the Spanish advance.

July 16th. Spanish-minded citizens of Alkmaar had hidden the key to the city gate. That is why the city gate had to be broken open to allow the soldiers of the Prince of Orange to enter.

August 21st. The Spanish troops arrive under the command of Don Frederic. They were scourged by a heavy thunderstorm at the sluice of Koedijk (Koedijkersluis), one of Alkmaars neighbouring villages.

The Spanish campement. Painter Ver Huell has pictured the situation somewhat more idyllic than is realistic.

August 24th. Spanish negotiators are standing in front of Alkmaar’s city walls. They were informed that Alkmaar would not speak, let alone negotiate, with the Spanish.

The threat of a Spanish attack caused a lot of upheavel amongst the citizens. In the night of the 28th of August, the city’s alarms where sounded. The Spanish were testing Alkmaar’s defences.

A few hours after the alarm sounded the elderly Reformed minister Jan Arentsz. passed away.

One of the two surviving messages that were sent from Alkmaar during the siege. The messages are called ‘polsstokbriefjes’ in Dutch, which translates to ‘vaulting pole notes’.

On September 8th Fleming Jacob Paulet, who resided in Alkmaar during the siege, was killed. As he looked at two Spaniards from Alkmaar’s city walls, he was hit in the head by a Spanish bullet.

September 16th. A young girl flees the Spanish army camp. She was saved by three men in a small boat. The Spanish pursuers where shot at from the walls.

September 18th. The most fearful day (de bangste dag). The Spanish assault on Alkmaar started. Governor Cabeliau (whose leg was bandaged) came to encourage Alkmaar’s defenders, despite his own wounds.

The family crest of Jacob Cabeliau. This is a design painting for a stained-glass window, made in 1879 for the town hall of Alkmaar.

The Spanish soldiers attack the city walls in great numbers.

According to the tales, the people of Alkmaar stood on the walls to challenge the Spanish.

September 20th. As Egbert Diert, bearer of the city standard, tried to take aim he was shot in the head by a Spaniard.

The siege of Alkmaar seen from the north. Left in the foreground you can see the village of Oudorp with the Spanish army camp.

September 20th. The storm bridge the Spanish wanted to place to reach the city wall was not ready. Therefore, the Spanish soldiers refused to attack. Many of the recalcitrants were stabbed to death.

September 24th. Two farmers were send to Diederik Sonoy to get help. They did not get far on account of Spanish patrolling guards, and returned to the city.

An imprisoned Spaniard, in the clothing of a renegade Flemish spy, was hanged. This was done to clarify to the enemy how spies were dealt with. The real spy was not hung, because he was needed alive.

October 8th 1573: Victory!