Unattributed [Battle of Boksum]

Unattributed. [Battle of Boksum].

Engraving of the Low Country revolt against Spain. Early seventeenth century. Engraving. Ca. 5 x 6 1/2. Very good condition.

The Battle of Boksum, fought on 17 January 1586 during the Eighty Years’ War, was an engagement between Spanish forces and a Dutch rebel army largely composed of Frisians. The Dutch force was commanded by Steen Maltesen Sehested, a Danish officer.

Holy Roman Emperor Charles V (also King of Spain as Charles I) abdicated his thrones in 1556, bequeathing both Spain and the Netherlands to his son Philip. In response to Philip's trying to limit the economic, political, and religious freedoms they had hitherto taken for granted, the Dutch revolted against the Spanish Crown in 1567. Despite the strength and cruelty of the generals sent against them by Philip, in particular the Duke of Alva (1567-1573) and the Duke of Parma (1578-1592), the Dutch were able to establish an independent republic in the northern seven provinces in 1579.