William Lewis of Nassau had for sometime been urging upon the States-General that the time for remaining upon the strict defensive was past, and that, when the enemy's efforts were weakened and distracted, the best defence was a vigorous offensive.

At first he spoke to deaf ears, but he found now a powerful supporter in Maurice, and the two stadholders prevailed.

They had now by careful and assiduous training created a strong and well-disciplined army for the service of the States.

This army was made up by contingents of various nationalities, English, Scottish, French and German as well as Netherlanders.

But the material was on the whole excellent, and the entire force was welded together by confidence in their leaders.
In 1590 the capture of Breda by a ruse (seventy men hidden beneath a covering of peat making their entrance into the town and opening the gates to their comrades outside) was a good omen for the campaign that was planned for 1591.