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Updated: June 16, 2025
First siege of Leyden Commencement of the second Description of the city Preparations for defence Letters of Orange Act of amnesty issued by Requesens Its conditions Its reception by the Hollanders Correspondence of the Glippers Sorties and fierce combats beneath the walls of Leyden Position of the Prince His project of relief Magnanimity of the people Breaking of the dykes Emotions in the city and the besieging camp Letter of the Estates of Holland Dangerous illness of the Prince The "wild Zealanders" Admiral Boisot commences his voyage Sanguinary combat on the Land Scheiding Occupation of that dyke and of the Green Way Pauses and Progress of the flotilla The Prince visits the fleet Horrible sufferings in the city Speech of Van der Werf Heroism of the inhabitants The Admiral's letters The storm Advance of Boisot Lammen fortress An anxious night Midnight retreat of the Spaniards The Admiral enters the city Thanksgiving in the great church The Prince in Leyden Parting words of Valdez Mutiny Leyden University founded The charter Inauguration ceremonies.
"As well," shouted the Spaniards, derisively, to the citizens, "as well can the Prince of Orange pluck the stars from the sky as bring the ocean to the walls of Leyden for your relief." On the 28th of September, a dove flew into the city, bringing a letter from Admiral Boisot.
Unfortunately the season was not favourable, and though the water reached nearly to the higher land round Leyden on which the Spanish redoubts were erected, and by alarming Valdez caused him to press the blockade more closely, it was not deep enough even for the light-draught vessels, which Boisot had gathered together, to make their way to the town.
The patriot Admiral Boisot, who had so recently defeated the fleet of Bergen, under the eyes of the Grand Commander, had unexpectedly sailed up the Scheld, determined to destroy the fleet of Antwerp, which upon that occasion had escaped. Between, the forts of Lillo and Callao, he met with twenty-two vessels under the command of Vice-Admiral Haemstede.
The Prince deplored his loss deeply, as that of a "valiant gentleman, and one well affectioned to the common cause." His brother, Charles Boisot, as will be remembered, had perished by treachery at the first landing of the Spanish troops; after their perilous passage from Duiveland.
Opposite Romerswael, the fleet of Boisot awaited them, drawn up in battle array. As an indication of the spirit which animated this hardy race, it may be mentioned that Schot, captain of the flag-ship, had been left on shore, dying of a pestilential fever. Admiral Boisot had appointed a Flushinger, Klaaf Klaafzoon, in his place.
Boisot anchored his fleet within a respectful distance, and spent what remained of the day in carefully reconnoitring the fort, which seemed only too strong. In conjunction with Leyderdorp, the head-quarters of Valdez, a mile and a half distant on the right, and within a mile of the city, it seemed so insuperable an impediment that Boisot wrote in despondent tone to the Prince of Orange.
In September following, Admiral Boisot brought some of his victorious ships and sailors to the relief of Leyden, whose inhabitants and garrison had been reduced by siege to the very last extremities. The campaign that followed was typical of this amphibious war.
While quite a young man he acquired a considerable library in his travels through Spain and Italy; and in 1664, during an official visit to Besançon, he was so fortunate as to acquire the MSS. of the Cardinal de Granvelle, who had been the confidential minister of the Emperor Charles V. Boisot wrote a delightful account of the adventures through which this collection had passed.
Magistrates and citizens, wild Zealanders, emaciated burgher guards, sailors, soldiers, women, children, nearly every living person within the walls, all repaired without delay to the great church, stout Admiral Boisot leading the way. The starving and heroic city, which had been so firm in its resistance to an earthly king, now bent itself in humble gratitude before the King of kings.
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