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Relief of the siege of Leiden.... Siege and relief  fter the fall of Haarlem in 1573 Leiden grew in strategic importance and consequently the Spaniards inaded the Rhineland. On 31 October 1573 the Spanish general Valdez began his siege of the city. This was a new tactic; no longer the city was attacked at the cost of many lives, but the inhabitants were starved during a prolonged siege. William the Silent sent troops from the south to lure the Spaniards away. Successfully: on 21 March 1574 Valdez broke off the siege and left. No one considered the possibility of the general returning in the night of 25 May, and it turned out the city's magistrates had insufficient food in stock. Aside from hunger the city was also hit by the plague in July. On 30 July the States of Holland decided to break the dykes in the surrounding area to flood the country, but the water rose to slowly. Meanwhile, Valdez tried to lure the citiziens into surrender with promises. Part of the city council was interested, but eventually it was decided to stick it out. Inhabitants ate cats, dogs and rats. Sometimes, as a silent protest, a corpse was put on the doorstep of mayor Van der Werf. On 18 September the weather grew worse and the water began to rise. The irregular army of the Prince of Orange arrived from the south. On 3 October the citizens prepared an attack. They were surprised about the silence on the other side of the wall and sent Cornelis Joppensz. to find out what was going on. It turned out the Spaniards had fled. The Dutch army entered the city with food: bread with cheese and herring. Nowadays 3 October is a local holiday with many festivities. |
 
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