The States army was not at its full strength, for the English contingent under Sir Francis Vere had been sent to France; and Verdugo was confident that any attempt to capture these well-garrisoned fortresses was doomed to failure.

He had to learn how great was the scientific skill and resource of Maurice in the art of beleaguering.
Steenwijk after an obstinate defence capitulated on June 5.

Coevorden was then invested and in its turn had to surrender, on September 12.
During this time Parma had been campaigning with no great success in northern France.

In the autumn he returned to the Netherlands suffering from the effects of a wound and broken in spirit.

Never did any man fill a difficult and trying post with more success and zeal than Alexander Farnese during the sixteen years of his governor-generalship.
Nevertheless Philip was afraid of his nephew's talents and ambition, and he despatched the Count of Fuentes with a letter of recall.