On October 18, 1580, the day after Kornput arrived in Steenwijk, a Spanish army of over 6,000 infantry and 1,200 cavalry under Lalaing laid siege to Steenwijk.

A bombardment in November destroyed about seventy houses, testing the city residents, who were already suffering because the harvest that year had been poor.
Two relief attempts by the rebel Dutch were frustrated by the besiegers in late November.
The Dutch rebel forces then asked John Norreys, who was in Brabant, to help relieve the beleaguered garrison.
Promoted to the rank of general officer, Norreys marched to Steenwijk with two thousand men.

Norreys arrived before Steenwijk on December 15, but the relief column was immediately attacked by the Spanish.
In a general engagement along the banks of the Vledder Aa, the English and Dutch rebels repelled the attackers.
The defeated Spanish fled, leaving behind much armor and other equipment.
Seizing the advantage, Norreys then broke through the besieger's entrenchments and supplied and reinforced the town.
This relief, albeit temporary, was the turning point.

As the siege took place in winter, the besiegers and besieged suffered severely from the cold weather.
The city canal and Vledder Aa froze over several times, causing problems, such as soldiers and guns falling through the ice while attempting to cross.
A surprise sally on January 24 by Norreys and his men proved decisive.
They captured equipment, broke up many of the Spanish siege guns, and inflicted casualties of nearly 400 men (most of whom were captured).

On February 23, 1581, the situation for the besieged was desperate.
Many, including Lalaing, were ill from exposure.
With supplies and ammunition running low, Lalaing could not sit out the winter months or gain ground.
He gave up the siege and retreated with his men.
On October 18, 1580, the day after Kornput arrived in Steenwijk, a Spanish army of over 6,000 infantry and 1,200 cavalry under Lalaing laid siege to Steenwijk.
A bombardment in November destroyed about seventy houses, testing the city residents, who were already suffering because the harvest that year had been poor. Two relief attempts by the rebel Dutch were frustrated by the besiegers in late November. The Dutch rebel forces then asked John Norreys, who was in Brabant, to help relieve the beleaguered garrison. Promoted to the rank of general officer, Norreys marched to Steenwijk with two thousand men.
Norreys arrived before Steenwijk on December 15, but the relief column was immediately attacked by the Spanish. In a general engagement along the banks of the Vledder Aa, the English and Dutch rebels repelled the attackers. The defeated Spanish fled, leaving behind much armor and other equipment. Seizing the advantage, Norreys then broke through the besieger's entrenchments and supplied and reinforced the town. This relief, albeit temporary, was the turning point.
As the siege took place in winter, the besiegers and besieged suffered severely from the cold weather. The city canal and Vledder Aa froze over several times, causing problems, such as soldiers and guns falling through the ice while attempting to cross. A surprise sally on January 24 by Norreys and his men proved decisive. They captured equipment, broke up many of the Spanish siege guns, and inflicted casualties of nearly 400 men (most of whom were captured).
On February 23, 1581, the situation for the besieged was desperate. Many, including Lalaing, were ill from exposure. With supplies and ammunition running low, Lalaing could not sit out the winter months or gain ground. He gave up the siege and retreated with his men.
Siege of Steenwijk (1580–81)