He encountered a desperate resistance, worthy of the defence of Haarlem or of Leyden, and for four months the garrison held out grimly in the hope of relief.

But, despite all the efforts of Orange to despatch an adequate force to raise the siege, at last (June 29) the town was carried by assault and delivered up for three days to the fury of a savage soldiery.

By the possession of this key to the Meuse, Parma was now able to cut off communications between Brabant and Protestant Germany.

Had he indeed been adequately supported by Philip it is probable that at this time all the provinces up to the borders of Holland might have been brought into subjection by the Spanish forces.
The position of William was beset with perils on every side.

One by one his adherents were deserting him; even in the provinces of Holland and Zeeland he was losing ground.