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In the spring
of 1568, the Orange army, lead by count Lodewijk van Nassau,
tried to free the future Netherlands of the yoke of the Spanish/Roman
oppression. Their opponents were the troops of count Aremberg,
the governor of the Spanish inclined city of Groningen. The
battle, at the place then known as Hilligerlee, is the most
important in the history of the Netherlands. On this webpage a
little taster.
In the village Heiligerlee, two kilometres
south-east of Scheemda, in the province of Groningen, you can
find the Museum Battle of Heiligerlee (Dutch: Slag bij
Heiligerlee). In this museum you will make an audio-visual
trip with a time-machine through a time-tunnel towards the
restless Europe of the past. You are a witness to the Iconoclasm
and will come face to face with Fernando Alvarez Toledo, the duke
of Alva. You will get an eye-witness account from the battlefield
and of the murder of William of Orange. And everything life-like!
Information: Museum Battle of Heiligerlee, Provincialeweg
55, 9677 PB Heiligerlee, Phone./fax. +31 597-418199
Opening hours:
1st of April until 1st of May, Tuesday till Sunday; 13.00-17.00 hours;
1st of May until 16st of September, Tuesday till Saturday, 10.00-17.00 hours,
Sunday 13.00-17.00 hours;
16st of September until 1 of November, Tuesday till Sunday, 13.00-17.00 hours.
Groups: from 1st of April till 1st of november on appointment;
Route: Take exit 46 on the motorway A7 Groningen-Nieuweschans.
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In this
farm the Museum Battle of Heiligerlee is situated. Also
located in the museum is a Brasserie where, whilst
enjoying some food and drink, you can talk about
everything you have seen in the museum. |
| This
statue was placed in memory of the Battle of Heiligerlee
(Dutch: Slag bij Heiligerlee) on May 23th, 1568. During
this battle, count Adolf van Nassau was killed. This
event proved to be the beginning of the Eighty Years War
between on one side the Netherlands and on the other side
the Spain of Philip II. From 1648 onwards, when both
parties have signed the Peace Treaty of Munster, more
peaceful times arrive. |
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On this
map from the 16th century you can see that the Dollard
sea used to come much further inland than nowadays. The
Dollard reached almost to the village of Midwolda (see
frame). This village has been flooded many times. After
the dramatic flooding of 1708, the whole village was
moved to a sandy ridge two kilometres further south. |
| In the
museum many object are shown that were used during the
battle, among which this bronze armour and sight. |
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In this
showcase you can see antiquities like these earthenware
urns and pots. |
| The
runaway Spanish army was dealt a defeating blow.
Thousands of people died on the ennemy side, among whom
the count Aremberg. The Orange army "only"
suffered dozens of casualties. The victory was however
overshadowed by the death of the 28-year old count Adolf,
the younger brother of count Lodewijk van Nassau. |
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