Capture of Breda (1581)

The Capture of Breda of 1581, also known as the Haultepenne Fury, occurred on 26–27 July when Spanish troops under the command of Claude de Berlaymont,^[1] lord of Haultepenne, took Breda by surprise after a sentry was bribed^[2] by a follower of the king, Charles de Gavre, who was kept a prisoner at the castle. The corrupt sentry allowed the Spanish troops to enter the castle.

Berleymont's army overwhelms the defenses of Breda after bribing a sentry, and sacks the city.

Despite the resistance by Breda's citizens, the attackers succeeded in taking the most important city gates and launched an attack on the city hall, the tower, and the church. The defenders surrendered on the condition that the city would not be looted. At 10.00 a.m. fighting stopped and the sack and massacre started. Some 584 citizens died during this relatively short event.

^ "Breda". Retrieved 10 October 2014.
^ De Lucca, Denis (17 February 2012). Jesuits and Fortifications: The Contribution of the Jesuits to Military Architecture in the Baroque Age. BRILL. p. 186. ISBN 978-90-04-21651-8.

[1] "Breda". Retrieved 10 October 2014.

[Lucca2012-2] De Lucca, Denis (17 February 2012). Jesuits and Fortifications: The Contribution of the Jesuits to Military Architecture in the Baroque Age. BRILL. p. 186. ISBN 978-90-04-21651-8.

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