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Battle of Heiligerlee

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Battle of Heiligerlee
Conflict	Eighty Years' War
Date	23 May,1568
Place	Heiligerlee, Friesland
Result	Dutch rebel victory
Combatants Dutch rebels Friesland under Spanish rule Commanders Louis of Nassau Adolf of Nassau Stadtholder Johan de Ligne Strength 3900 infantry 200 cavalry 3200 infantry 20 cavalry Casualties 50, including Adolf of Nassau 1500-2000

Forces

The province Friesland is invaded by an army consisting of 3900 infantry led by Louis of Nassau and and 200 cavalry led by Adolf of Nassau. Both were brothers of William I of Orange.

The Stadtholder of Friesland and also Duke of Aremberg, Johan de Ligne, has an army of 3200 infantry and 20 cavalry.

Battle

Aremberg initially avoids confrontation, awaiting reinforcements. However on 23 May 1568 Adolf lures him to Louis' ambush at the monastery of Heiligerlee. The ambush works. The defending force looses 1500-2000 men, while the invading force looses 50 men, including Adolf of Nassau. The rebels capture 7 cannons.

Follow up

The invading force does not capture any cities and is defeated at the Battle of Jemmingen.

Adolf of Nassau is mentioned in the Dutch national anthem:
Graef Adolff is ghebleven, In Vriesland in den slaech,