Battle between Dutch and Spanish Ships on the Haarlemmermeer, c.1629 (oil on canvas)

The Eighty Years' War was an armed revolt under the leadership of Protestant William of Orange when the Dutch struggled to gain independence from Spanish rule under the Catholic Philip II. When Haarlem sided with the Dutch Revolt in 1572, the Spanish lay siege to the city. In May 1573, the rebels attempted to recapture the Haarlemmermeer lake, which was a major supply channel to the city. They were defeated by a fleet of Spanish and Amsterdam ships (Amsterdam was then still loyal to Spain). Haarlem was ultimately forced to surrender to the Spanish. The work comes from the city hall of Haarlem.