The place, he thought, would fall in a week, and after another week of sacking, killing, and ravishing, he might sweep on to 'pastures new' until Holland was overwhelmed.

Romero advanced to the breach, followed by a numerous storming party, but met with a resistance which astonished the Spaniards.

The church bells rang the alarm throughout the city, and the whole population swarmed to the walls.

The besiegers were encountered not only with sword and musket, but with every implement which the burghers' hands could find.

Heavy stones, boiling oil, live coals, were hurled upon the heads of the soldiers; hoops, smeared with pitch and set on fire, were dexterously thrown upon their necks.