Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 26, 2025
On the 3rd of September Verdugo, with the whole force at his disposal, amounting to four thousand foot and eighteen hundred horse, was at the village of Emblichen, within a league of the besieged city. That night a peasant was captured with letters from Verdugo to the Governor of Coeworden, giving information that he intended to make an assault on the besiegers on the night of 6th-7th September.
His object was Coeworden a prize more important than a new victory over the already defeated Spaniards would prove and this object he kept ever before his eyes. This was Verdugo's first and last attempt to relieve the city. He had seen enough of the young prince's tactics and had no further wish to break his teeth against those scientific entrenchments.
Verdugo, although confident in the strength of the place, had represented to Parma and to Mansfeld the immense importance of relieving Coeworden. The city, he said, was more valuable than all the towns taken the year before. All Friesland hung upon it, and it would be impossible to save Groningen should Coeworden fall.
Should it fall into the hands of the republic it would be impossible for the Spaniards to retain much longer the rich and important capital of all that country, the city of Groningen. Coeworden lay between two vast morasses, one of which the Bourtange swamp extended some thirty miles to the bay of the Dollart; while the other spread nearly as far in a westerly direction to the Zuyder Zee.
To the inexpressible joy of the stadholder, the Genoese seemed suddenly struck with blindness. The prize was almost in his hands and he threw away all his advantages. Instead of darting at once upon Coeworden he paused for nearly a month, during which period he seemed intoxicated with a success so rapidly achieved, and especially with his adroitness in outwitting the great stadholder.
Verdugo, although confident in the strength of the place, had represented to Parma and to Mansfeld the immense importance of relieving Coeworden. The city, he said, was more valuable than all the towns taken the year before. All Friesland hung upon it, and it would be impossible to save Groningen should Coeworden fall.
As to the new, I have nothing to do with it. Prince Maurice lays siege to Gertruydenberg Advantages of the new system of warfare Progress of the besieging operations Superiority of Maurice's manoeuvres Adventure of Count Philip of Nassau Capitulation of Gertruydenberg Mutiny among the Spanish troops Attempt of Verdugo to retake Coeworden Suspicions of treason in the English garrison at Ostend Letter of Queen Elizabeth to Sir Edward Norris on the subject Second attempt on Coeworden Assault on Groningen by Maurice Second adventure of Philip of Nassau Narrow escape of Prince Maurice Surrender of Groningen Particulars of the siege Question of religious toleration Progress of the United Netherlands Condition of the "obedient" Netherlands Incompetency of Peter Mansfeld as Governor Archduke Ernest, the successor of Farnese Difficulties of his position His unpopularity Great achievements of the republicans Triumphal entry of Ernest into Brussels and Antwerp Magnificence of the spectacle Disaffection of the Spanish troops Great military rebellion Philip's proposal to destroy the English fleet His assassination plans Plot to poison Queen Elizabeth Conspiracies against Prince Maurice Futile attempts at negotiation Proposal of a marriage between Henry and the Infanta Secret mission from Henry to the King of Spain Special dispatch to England and the Staten Henry obtains further aid from Queen Elizabeth and the States Council Anxiety of the Protestant countries to bring about a war with Spain Aspect of affairs at the close of the year 1594.
Farnese, although nominally the governor, felt himself unequal to take the field against the vigorous young commander who was carrying everything before him in the north and east. Upon the Mansfelds was the responsibility for saving Steenwyk and Coeworden, and to the Mansfelds did Verdugo send piteously, but in vain, for efficient help.
Early in the following spring, Verdugo again appeared before Coeworden in force. It was obvious that the great city of Groningen, the mistress of all the north-eastern provinces, would soon be attacked, and Coeworden was the necessary base of any operations against the place.
To the inexpressible joy of the stadholder, the Genoese seemed suddenly struck with blindness. The prize was almost in his hands and he threw away all his advantages. Instead of darting at once upon Coeworden he paused for nearly a month, during which period he seemed intoxicated with a success so rapidly achieved, and especially with his adroitness in outwitting the great stadholder.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking