Capture of Brill
Captures Brill in Zeeland
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1572 in Netherlands
Explore 27 historical events and records for Netherlands in 1572.
Historical records for Netherlands in 1572
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 27 of 27 unique records.
27Unique records
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26Named events on this page
5Named people on this page
9Places on this page
April
Flemish Invasion Supports Revolt
Louis of Nassau supports operations in Flanders as the revolt against Spanish rule widens.
Invasion of Flanders
Helps William the Silent invade Flanders
May
Capture of Mons
Captures the fortress of Mons
July
Siege of Haarlem
Haarlem surrenders to the Spanish, the leaders are executed
October
Capture of Mons
Surrenders Mons to the Spanish but most of the Dutch towns are occupied by Calvinists
Other events (month unknown)
Capture of Flushing
Marck captures Flushing
Citizens Refuse Spanish Surrender Demands
Haarlem's leadership resisted demands to submit to Spanish authority and resolved to defend the city.
Defenders Counter Spanish Mining
Haarlem's defenders dug countermine passages to disrupt Spanish attempts to undermine the fortifications.
Garrison Waits For French Assistance
Louis of Nassau's men held out in anticipation of outside military support that ultimately did not arrive.
Haarlem Governor Prepares City Defence
Wigbolt Ripperda directed preparations to defend Haarlem as Spanish armies advanced through Holland.
Haarlem Repairs Vulnerable Walls
Defenders reinforced weak stretches of Haarlem's walls because the city's older fortifications were vulnerable to artillery.
Kenau Assists Haarlem Fortifications
Kenau Simonsdochter Hasselaer helped organise work connected with the defence of Haarlem, though stories about her commanding women in combat are disputed.
Mons Garrison Negotiates Capitulation
With relief impossible, Louis of Nassau negotiated surrender terms for the troops defending Mons.
Mons Taken By Surprise
Louis of Nassau captured Mons in May 1572, providing a strategic foothold for the rebellion against Spanish rule.
Nassau Leaves Captured City
Louis of Nassau departed Mons under the terms of the surrender rather than continuing a hopeless defence.
Nassau Offensive Secures Mons
Louis of Nassau occupied Mons during the coordinated rebel offensive against Spanish rule in the Netherlands.
Nassau Strengthens Mons Defences
Louis of Nassau prepared his captured position for a prolonged Spanish counterattack while awaiting relief.
New Barrier Built Behind Breach
Defenders erected an inner protective wall after Spanish bombardment damaged parts of the city's outer defences.
Orange Army Approaches Mons
William of Orange advanced toward Mons, seeking to break Spanish encirclement and preserve the rebel position.
Orange Opens Campaign In Low Countries
William of Orange organised a major invasion of the Spanish Netherlands to challenge the Duke of Alba's authority.
Orange Organizes Relief Of Mons
William of Orange attempted to rescue his brother's besieged army by bringing additional forces into the southern Netherlands.
Orange Seeks Support From Border Towns
William of Orange attempted to win control of towns and routes in the southern Netherlands during the 1572 campaign.
Orange Supports Haarlem Resistance
William of Orange sought to sustain Haarlem's resistance as it confronted a major Spanish siege.
Orange Withdraws From Mons Campaign
After failing to relieve Mons, William of Orange withdrew his army as the Spanish position became stronger.
Rebellion of Zeeland
Te Estates of Holland and Zeeland revolt against Spanish Rule
Succession
Succeeds as Stadholder of The Netherlands, Stadholder of the northern provinces
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.