Historic Battles between the Governor of Flanders and the Dutch Forces in April 1642

In the annals of history, few confrontations have left as profound an impact as the April 1642 battles between Don Francisco de Melos, the Governor of Flanders, and the Hollanders. These skirmishes, taking place over two consequential days, altered the course of regional dynamics.

Original Document: “Exceeding Joyfull Newes FROM HOLLAND”

Exceeding Joyfull Newes
FROM
HOLLAND

BEING
A True Relation of two great Battels
fought betweene the Governour of Flanders
Don Francisco de Melos and the
Hollanders, upon the 20. and 21. dayes
of Aprill, 1642.

WITH
The Names of the places and Sconces
which he assaulted, but was overthrowne by
the Hollanders, and many thousands of his
men slaine.

LONDON,
Printed for Iohn Raymond, 1642.

A Relation of two daies
fight, upon the 20. and 21. of
Aprill last, between the Governor
of Flanders Don Francisco de Melos
and the Hollanders, 1642.

Vpon the tenth day of Aprill the Govenrour of Flanders entred the Field with 20000 Souldiers and 5000 horse intending to besiege Iseldike and the two Sconces upon the River and divided his Army into some foure parts, whereof 8000 Foot and 1000 horse he committed to the command of Don Isaacke, Governour of Antwerpe and charged him to plant his Ordnance before the West part of the Towne that thereby if occasion served he might have the suddener helpe from tHe rest of the Army, and foure thousand more before VVats Sconce under the command of Minehære de Boys governour of Castile.

A third part which was foure thousand more before Gravell Sconce, under the command of Minehære de Thairen, a high Dutchman, and the fourth part of his Army, with foure thousand Horse, he reserved for the safeguard of his owne Person, and lying in Trenches a League from the rest of his Army, the Burgers of Husden, with a thousand of Soldiers, came out of the Towne, and in the Night very fiercely compassed his Excellencies Companies, and slew neere 200. of them, and forced the rest to leave their Trenches, and upon their flight retreating backe, the Hollanders pursued them, and Fought two houres where 500. of both sides were slaine, insomuch that his Excellency was constrayned to flye for the safeguard of his owne person.

Vpon which retreate of his Excellencie, the the Governour of Antwerpe withdrew his Forces from Iseldike, and marched towards Gravell Sconce, to assist Minehære de Thairen, and immediately upon his coming towards Gravell Sconce, the Governour of Antwerpe, and Minehære de Thairen, with divers Engines and Fireballs, scaled the Walls of the Sconce, and slew most part therein, but having not men sufficient to manage the said Sconce, and being likewise Battered to the ground, his Excellencie and his Army was constrayned to leave it as a desolate Place, Then his Excellency and the Governovour of Antwerpe marched towards VVats Sconce, not doubting but that they should have the like successe as at Gravell Sconce, but the Hollander had Fortified it too strong with Ordnance, and after one houres Fight, the Sconce forced his Excellency and the Governour of Antwerpe to leave their intended enterprize, and afterwards the whole Body meeting, they marched towards Breda. The Governor of Breda having intelligence of his Excellencies comming towards the Towne, forthwith commanded the Drummes to beate up, thereby proclayming and charging the Burgers and Souldiers that were in the Towne, to be in a readinesse against his Excellencies comming, which was neere upon Five thousand Burgers and Souldiers, besides Five hundred of Horse.

Then his Excellencies Army marching neere Breda was intercepted, and his passage stop’t, and almost a whole day kept them in fight with Musketiers, onely at length there was a fresh supply of the Hollanders neere upon ten thousand more which came from the Busse, and they placed themselves in the reare of his Excellencies Army between Macklin and Bridges, and the Breda Burgers and Souldiers in the Front, where on the morning as soone as the day appeared, they had a great skirmish, and tooke divers great Persons prisoners, whereof the Governour of Castile was one, and slew neere upon six thousand of Horse and Foote, and forced the rest to flye, and for their more nimblenesse of body they throwed downe their Armes, and the Hollanders following them so close, that they drived his Excellency and his Army most within shot of Macklin City; In all which fight there was not above sixe or seaven hundred of the Hollanders slaine, besides the spoyle the Governour Antwerpe and Mine hære de Chairen made before the Gravell-Sconce.

The Irish who have beene ever true to the King of Spaine in these parts of Flanders and Ortoy’s, have most part of them runne from their Colours, and it is supposed they are fled for Ireland.

There hath beene in these Countries ever since the Earle of Tyrone his flight out of Ireland in Queene Elizabeths time, neere upon ten thousand of Irish Souldiers, and now in all Flanders and Artoy’s there cannot be mustered one thousand, which yet hath beene a great weakening to the Country.

It is supposed his Excellencie hath left with the Hollander, for this Sommer, and intendeth to draw most part of his Forces towards Arras,
⁠Cambray,
⁠Doway,
⁠Betoone,
⁠Aires,
⁠St. Thomas Newport,
⁠Castile,
⁠Graveling,
⁠Ostend,
⁠and Dunkirke.

And unto many other petty Dorpes in Ortoys, amongst the Walloones, in all these Towns his Excellency hath displaced his Governors, being great Lords, & Walloones in the Country, and put in their Roomes Spaniards to be Governours thereof, for it is supposed all the Walloons in Ortoys had rather be under the subiection of the French King, then the Spaniard, in regard of the heavie taxes he imposes upon the Country towards the maintenance of his Army.

FINIS.

Modern Interpretation:

Initial Deployment:

As April commenced, Don Francisco de Melos made his move. With a formidable army comprising 20,000 soldiers and 5,000 horsemen, he set his sights on besieging Iseldike and two strategic sconces along the river. His army was strategically divided into four segments. A significant portion, including 8,000 foot soldiers and 1,000 horsemen, was placed under the leadership of Don Isaacke, the Governor of Antwerp. Their objective was to position artillery on the western side of the town, ensuring rapid support if needed.

The Night Assault:

However, not all went as planned for de Melos. On the night of the 10th of April, the Burgers of Husden staged a surprise attack. This daring raid resulted in the deaths of nearly 200 of de Melos’ men, compelling the remaining forces to abandon their positions. In the chaos that ensued, the Hollanders mounted a pursuit, leading to a two-hour-long battle that witnessed casualties on both sides.

Battles at the Sconces:

Despite the initial setbacks, the Governor of Flanders was not deterred. His forces launched assaults on Gravell Sconce and VVats Sconce. While they managed to breach Gravell Sconce’s walls, causing significant casualties, they were unable to maintain control due to insufficient manpower and sustained damage. Their subsequent attempt on VVats Sconce was thwarted by the Dutch, who had fortified it too well.

The Approach to Breda:

Shifting his strategy, de Melos then directed his army towards Breda. However, the Breda Governor, having been alerted to their approach, readied his forces. The Governor’s army found itself sandwiched – with Musketiers blocking them and fresh Dutch reinforcements arriving to trap them between Macklin and Bridges. This culminated in a significant skirmish, leading to numerous high-profile prisoners, including the Governor of Castile, and heavy losses for de Melos’ forces.

Role of the Irish Soldiers:

An interesting subplot in these events was the role of the Irish soldiers. Historically aligned with the King of Spain, many of these soldiers, once numbering in the thousands, had recently deserted. Their absence significantly weakened the Governor’s army and hinted at larger geopolitical shifts.

Future Strategies and Political Implications:

Following these events, there were speculations about de Melos’ future plans. It was believed he aimed to redirect most of his forces towards key locations, including Arras, Cambray, and Dunkirke, among others. Additionally, in a politically charged move, de Melos replaced several native Walloon governors with Spaniards, indicating tensions and the Walloons’ preference for French rule over Spanish dominance.

Conclusion:

The events of April 1642 were not just military confrontations but pivotal moments in the delicate political dance of the region. The outcomes of these battles, combined with internal dynamics, played a crucial role in shaping the future of Flanders and its neighboring territories.

Historical Deconstruction of the April 1642 Battles

1. The Context: The Eighty Years’ War (1568–1648)

The events take place against the backdrop of the Eighty Years’ War, also known as the Dutch War of Independence. This conflict saw the Dutch provinces rebelling against Spanish rule.
Don Francisco de Melos, as the Governor of Flanders, represented Spanish interests, while the “Hollanders” were Dutch forces fighting for independence.

2. The Importance of Sconces and Fortifications

Sconces were small protective fortifications, often vital in wars of this era. Their capture or defense could greatly influence the outcome of larger campaigns.
The specific mention of Iseldike, Gravell Sconce, and VVats Sconce highlights their strategic importance in this conflict.

3. The Role of Notable Figures

Don Francisco de Melos: Governor of Flanders, representing the Spanish crown.
Don Isaacke: Governor of Antwerp, a major ally of de Melos.
Other figures, like the Governor of Castile and the Governor of Breda, also played significant roles in these events.

4. Night Assaults and Military Tactics

The surprise night attack by the Burgers of Husden is a classic example of guerrilla tactics. Such strategies were commonly employed by outnumbered or outgunned forces to even the odds.
The tactic used by the Hollanders, surrounding and attacking the Spanish forces during the night, was designed to exploit the element of surprise and create chaos.

5. The Irish Connection

The mention of Irish soldiers in Flanders is intriguing. Historically, many Irish soldiers served as mercenaries in European conflicts.
Their loyalty to the Spanish crown is highlighted, but the significant desertions indicate shifting allegiances or dissatisfaction among their ranks.
The historical note about the Earl of Tyrone’s flight during Queen Elizabeth’s time provides context to the longstanding relationship between the Irish and Spanish against English interests.

6. Political Maneuvers and Implications

The replacement of native Walloon governors with Spaniards is a significant political move. It not only indicates Spanish distrust of the local Walloon leadership but also highlights the tensions between the Spanish crown and its Walloon subjects.
The mention of heavy taxes imposed by the Spanish and the preference of the Walloons to be under French rule gives insight into the socio-political climate of the time.

7. Geopolitical Significance of Cities

Cities like Arras, Cambray, and Dunkirke are listed as potential next targets or points of interest. Each of these cities had its own strategic and political importance in the larger conflict.
The maneuvers around these cities would have had implications not just for the immediate conflict but also for the broader geopolitical landscape of the region.

Conclusion:

The “Exceeding Joyfull Newes from Holland” is more than just a recounting of two days of battle. It offers a window into the intricate dynamics of a tumultuous period in European history, where military confrontations intertwined with political maneuvers, and allegiances shifted in the shadows of war.