The capture of Deventer in 1578 removed a Spanish-held garrison threatening Holland and Utrecht during the Eighty Years' War.
Key Facts
- Siege start date
- 3 August 1578
- Surrender date
- 19 November 1578
- Duration
- Approximately 3.5 months
- Defending garrison
- German Polweiler-regiment (Spanish Empire)
- Conflict
- Eighty Years' War
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Since 1572, Deventer had been held by the German Polweiler-regiment on behalf of Don John of Austria and the Spanish Empire. The States-General of the Netherlands sought to dislodge this garrison to protect the nearby regions of Holland and Utrecht from ongoing Spanish plundering raids.
From 3 August to 19 November 1578, States troops under George van Lalaing, count of Rennenberg, besieged Deventer. Lalaing applied strategic advice from Johan van den Kornput, progressively pressuring the city until it agreed to negotiate. On 19 November 1578 Deventer formally surrendered to the States forces.
The surrender of Deventer transferred control of the city from the Spanish Empire to the States-General, reducing the Spanish military foothold in the eastern Netherlands and improving the security of Holland and Utrecht against further incursions.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
George van Lalaing, count of Rennenberg, Johan van den Kornput (adviser).
Side B
1 belligerent