Battle of Mookerheyde

From Freepedia

Battle of Mookerheyde
Conflict: Eighty Years' War
Date: April 14, 1574
Place: Mook en Middelaar, Limburg
Outcome: Decisive Spanish victory
Combatants
Dutch rebels	Spain
Commanders
Louis of Nassau † Henry of Nassau †	Sancho d'Avilla
Strength
5,500 infantry 2,600 cavalry	5,000 infantry 800 cavalry
Casualties
3,000 dead or wounded	150 dead or wounded
Eighty Years' War Heiligerlee – Jemmingen – Haarlem – Mookerheyde – Turnhout – Nieuwpoort

The Battle of Mookerheyde was a battle of the Eighty Years' War fought on April 14 1574 near the village Mook and the river Meuse.

The Spanish army was led by Sancho d'Avilla and Mendoza consisted of 5,000 infantry and 800 cavalry. The Dutch army was led by Louis of Nassau and Henry of Nassau and consisted of 5,500 infantry and 2,600 cavalry. Most of these were unpaid mercenaries.

The battle was a disaster for the Dutch. Part of their army deserted during the action, shouting for money. The Spanish lost only 150 men. The rebels lost 3,000 men; both Louis and Henry were killed.

In 1870 a mass grave containing hundreds of bodies from those who perished during the battle was found near the Groesbeekseweg roadway.