page_title: Capture of Breda (1590)
section_title: Consequences
hierarchical_section_title: Capture of Breda (1590) / Consequences
caption_attribution_description: Penning op het succes van het turfschip Breda. Foto van eigen exemplaar.
context_page_description: The Capture of Breda or the Siege of Breda was a short battle during the Eighty Years' War and the 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, 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.
context_section_description: The taking of Breda on the part of the Dutch and English troops, a city in the eyes of the Spaniards that was assumed to be safe, was a disagreeable surprise for the Spanish authorities. The Duke of Parma - Alexander Farnese was enraged by the cowardice of the Italian troops in charge of the defense of the city. He ordered three captains responsible for the garrison of Breda to be executed and a fourth official was expelled from the army. Finally the recriminations ended with Eduardo Lanzavecchia being stripped of his position as governor of Geertruidenberg.
  The huge success of the capture of Breda without barely a casualty was widely celebrated in the United Provinces. After years of defensive strategy combined with Spanish forces distracted with the Protestant forces in France, the Dutch and English forces had at last achieved a decisive offensive success. The strategic value of the city led to patriotic celebrations and a number of commemorative coins were minted.
  With the taking of Breda Maurice of Nassau used the place as an operational base and from here he conquered Elshout, Fort Crèvecoeur near 's-Hertogenbosch, Steenbergen, Roosendaal, Oosterhout, and others. Charles de Heraugiere in light of his daring operation was designated governor of Breda and was also given a gold medal. The bargemen were given a subsidy for life as well as many of the soldiers taking part in the city's capture.
  The Count of Mansfeld was sent to reclaim the city and after taking a number of small hamlets, he constructed a fort in Terheyde and then attempted to reduce Breda by starvation. The Dutch and English forces under Matthew Held however controlled the vital rivers points around Breda and so the poorly attempted siege ended in failure and Mansfeld retreated.
  The city would remain in Dutch hands until 1625, date in which the Spanish tercios of Ambrosio Spinola would be able to recapture it after a long siege. In 1637 Breda after yet another siege would return to Dutch hands once and for all.
caption: Coins celebrating the capture
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