Once again Motley comes to our aid with his vivid narrative: "The Spaniards advanced, burned the village of Egmont to the ground as soon as the patriots had left it, and on the 21st of August Don Frederic, appearing before the walls, proceeded formally to invest Alkmaar.

In a few days this had been so thoroughly accomplished, that, in Alva's language, 'it was impossible for a sparrow to enter or go out of the city'.

The odds were somewhat unequal.

Sixteen thousand veteran troops constituted the besieging force.

Within the city were a garrison of _eight hundred_ soldiers, together with _thirteen hundred_ burghers, capable of bearing arms.