Sign In

This rare broadsheet news map offers a visual and textual account of the Siege of Breda in 1625, a significant episode during the Eighty Years' War.

The map captures the city of Breda and its surrounding fortifications as it endured a prolonged siege by Spanish forces under the command of Ambrosio Spinola. It illustrates the city's defensive structures, the positions of the Spanish encampments, and key geographical features, providing both strategic insight and a dramatic narrative of the conflict.

The map is complemented by an explanatory text below, which details the strategic importance of Breda, located approximately 3 miles from Gertruidenberg and surrounded by other key towns such as Roosendaal and Bergen op Zoom. At the heart of the conflict was Breda's role as a fortified city and a symbol of resistance for the Dutch Republic, defended by a garrison composed of Dutch and English soldiers. The text emphasizes the determination of the defenders and the logistical efforts of the Spanish army, who began their siege in July 1624 and maintained it for nearly a year.

Notable landmarks within Breda, such as the town hall, St. John’s Church, and the Castle of Breda, are identified in the legend, underscoring the city's architectural and strategic layout. The map depicts the methodical progress of the siege, including the construction of trenches and fortifications by the Spanish forces and the eventual depletion of Breda's supplies. Spinola’s calculated approach is vividly documented, reflecting the Spanish general’s military acumen and the relentless pressure on the city's defenders.

The accompanying text further recounts the eventual fall of Breda on June 2, 1625, marking a significant, albeit temporary, victory for the Spanish in the Eighty Years' War. The city would remain under Spanish control until 1637, when it was retaken by Dutch forces. This broadsheet map not only serves as a historical record of the siege but also as a piece of propaganda, highlighting the discipline and resolve of Spinola's forces. Its publication in Frankfurt suggests its intended audience was the broader European public, particularly those with an interest in the military and political developments of the war.