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Updated: September 29, 2025
The news that the allies had arrived close at hand reached Count Varras at midnight, and a retreat was at once ordered. Baggage wagons were packed and despatched, escorted by the cavalry, and before dawn the whole force was well on its road. Prince Maurice had set off an hour before daybreak, and on reaching Turnhout found that the rear guard of the enemy had just left the village.
The envoy, especially, and justly, reproached the royal government for having taken no advantage of the opportunity offered by the victory of Turnhout, in which the republic had utterly defeated the principal forces of the common enemy.
The military events of the year did not testify to a much more successful activity on the part of the new league in the field than it had displayed in the sphere of diplomacy. In vain did the envoy of the republic urge Henry and his counsellors to follow up the crushing blow dealt to the cardinal at Turnhout by vigorous operations in conjunction with the States' forces in Artois and Hainault.
The year, begun with the signal victory of Turnhout, had worthily terminated, so far as military events were concerned, with the autumnal campaign on the Rhine, and great were the rejoicings throughout the little commonwealth. Thus, with diminished resources, had the republic been doing its share of the work which the anti-Spanish league had been called into existence to accomplish.
Straggle of the Netherlands against Spain March to Turnhout Retreat of the Spanish commander Pursuit and attack Demolition of the Spanish army Surrender of the garrison of Turnhout Improved military science Moral effect of the battle The campaign in France Attack on Amiens by the Spaniards Sack and burning of the city De Rosny's plan for reorganization of the finances Jobbery and speculation Philip's repudiation of his debts Effects of the measure Renewal of persecution by the Jesuits Contention between Turk and Christian Envoy from the King of Poland to the Hague to plead for reconciliation with Philip His subsequent presentation to Queen Elizabeth Military events Recovery of Amiens Feeble operations of the confederate powers against Spain Marriage of the Princess Emilia, sister of Maurice Reduction of the castle and town of Alphen Surrender of Rheinberg Capitulation of Meurs Surrender of Grol Storming and taking of Brevoort Capitulation of Enschede, Ootmaxsum, Oldenzaal, and Lingen Rebellion of the Spanish garrisons in Antwerp and Ghent Progress of the peace movement between Henry and Philip Relations of the three confederate powers Henry's scheme for reconciliation with Spain His acceptance of Philip's offer of peace announced to Elizabeth Endeavours for a general peace.
The Count of Flanders repaired to the king, who said, "Your quarrel is ours; get you back to Artois; we shall soon be there and within sight of our enemies." Accordingly, in November, 1382, the King of France and his army marched into Flanders. Several towns, Cassel, Bergues, Gravelines, and Turnhout, hastily submitted to him.
Late in the autumn, after his return from the expedition, Sir Francis Vere went over to Holland, and by his advice Prince Maurice prepared in December to attack a force of 4000 Spanish infantry and 600 cavalry, which, under the command of the Count of Varras, had gathered at the village of Turnhout, twenty miles from Breda.
Marcellus Bax, that boldest and most brilliant of Holland's cavalry officers, had come to Maurice early in January with an urgent suggestion that no time might be lost in making an attack upon the force of Turnhout, before they should succeed in doing any mischief.
But the shock of mighty armies, the manoeuvring of vast masses in one magnificent combination, by which the fate of empires, the happiness or the misery of the peoples for generations, may perhaps be decided in a few hours, undoubtedly require a higher constructive genius than could be displayed in any such hand-to-hand encounter as that of Turnhout, scientifically managed as it unquestionably was.
Nevertheless, it was possible; so the stout Hollanders, Zeelanders, and Englishmen struggled on manfully, shoulder to shoulder, through the mist and the mire. By nightfall the expedition had reached Ravels, at less than a league's distance from Turnhout, having accomplished, under the circumstances, a very remarkable march of over twenty miles.
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