Capture of Breda (1590)
| Capture of Breda (1590) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Eighty Years' War | |||||||
The Peat boat at Breda by Charles Rochussen | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
|
United Provinces England | Spanish Empire | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
|
Maurice of Nassau Francis Vere Charles de Heraugiere (assault) | Paolo Lanzavecchia | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 1,700 (70 in assault) | 600 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| One soldier drowned | 40 killed or wounded | ||||||
The capture of Breda was a short battle during the Eighty Years' War and Anglo–Spanish War during which a Dutch and English army led by Maurice of Nassau captured the heavily protected city of Breda. Using a clever tactic reminiscent of the Trojan horse which became famous as the ruse with the Turfschip van Breda, a small assault force hid in a peat barge, entered the city of Breda, and proceeded to take it over resulting in a minimum number of casualties. It was the turning point of the war as the forces under Maurice were able to take the offensive.