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Rare engraving depicting a battle in the Eighty Year' War. The Battle of Rijmenam took place on July 31, 1578, during the early stages of the Eighty Years' War. It was a conflict between the States-General of the Netherlands and the Spanish governor-general, resulting in a Spanish defeat. The forces of the States-General set up camp at Rijmenam under the overall leadership of the Count of Boussu. Their army consisted of 12,000 infantry and 7,000 cavalry. The English mercenaries were led by Sir John Norris and Sir Richard Bingham, the Scottish mercenaries by Robert Stuart, and the French Huguenots by François de la Noue. Don Juan of Austria, the Spanish commander, commanded an army of 12,000 infantry and 5,000 cavalry. He planned to attack before reinforcements from Zutphen could arrive. His subordinates, Alexander Farnese and Gabrio Serbelloni, considered this too risky, but Don Juan proceeded with his plan and launched an early morning attack on July 31. He attempted to draw Boussu out for an open field battle, but Boussu stayed behind the dug trenches. After three hours of waiting, Don Juan ordered a company of musketeers under Alonso de Leyva and three groups of cuirassiers under the Marquis del Monte to stage a feigned attack on the village's rear. In response, Boussu sent Norris to confront them. Following the initial skirmish, Scottish forces under Stuart and Spanish infantry under Fernando Álvarez de Toledo joined the fray. Concurrently, Alexander Farnese advanced towards the trenches. Toledo pushed Norris back into the village, where Norris set some houses on fire and counterattacked. Believing that Boussu had ordered a retreat and therefore set everything ablaze, Leyla and Toledo fought their way with 500 musketeers and 600 cavalry to the center of the village. Boussu's artillery then opened fire, and the Scottish forces attacked, leading Alexander Farnese to command the retreat. This summary of the Battle of Rijmenam highlights the strategic movements and decisions made by both sides, which culminated in the Spanish withdrawal and marked the battle as a significant encounter in the Eighty Years' War. The Latin text on the print relates to the Battle of Rijmenam in 1578 and appears to describe different aspects or key moments of the battle. Here is the translation of the inscriptions: A. The remnants of the federates' camp as they retreated. B. The city of Mechlin (Mechelen). C. The federates' camp between the forest and the river. D. The day's river. E. The battle between the federates and the Austrians. F. Count Bossu, the federates' leader, encouraging his men. G. Norreys, the English tribune, supporting his men on horseback while ascending. H. The Scottish, fighting naked. I. Alva, showing his forces in battle array. K. Alva's men, a part of the foot soldiers retreating. L. Infantry forming a circle and defecting into the forest. M. The Spaniards in the forest awaiting their own. N. Octavio Gonzaga, retreating with his horsemen. O. Cavalry retreating into the forest. P. Squadrons sustaining the enemy's charge while they withdraw. Q. Auxiliaries sent from the camp. R. Don Juan of Austria, displaying his army. This transcription and translation provide a snapshot of the key players and actions during the battle, offering a glimpse into the tactical movements and the ebb and flow of the conflict as depicted in the print.
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