Battle of Mookerheyde

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Date	April 14, 1574
Location	Mook en Middelaar, Limburg
Result	Decisive Spanish victory

Belligerents

Dutch rebels

Spain

Commanders

Louis of Nassau †
Henry of Nassau †

Sancho d'Avila

Strength

5,500 infantry
2,600 cavalry

5,000 infantry
800 cavalry

Casualties and losses

3,000 dead or wounded

150 dead or wounded

Dutch Revolt

Oosterweel – Rheindalen – Heiligerlee – Jemmingen – Jodoigne – Brielle – Haarlem – Flushing – Borsele – Zuiderzee – Alkmaar – Leiden – Reimerswaal – Mookerheyde – Gembloux – Maastricht – 1st Breda – Antwerp – Boksum – Zutphen – 1st Bergen op Zoom – Gravelines – 2nd Breda – Turnhout – Nieuwpoort – Ostend – Sluys – Gibraltar – 2nd Bergen op Zoom –3rd Breda – Groenlo - Bay of Matanzas – 's-Hertogenbosch – Maastricht – 4th Breda – Kallo – The Downs – Hulst – Puerto de Cavite

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. An army of poorly paid mercenaries, hired by William the Silent to bring relief to the city of Leyden that was under siege by the Spaniards, moved north on the east bank of the river Meuse. The Dutch army was met by a Spanish army, led by Sancho d'Avila and Mendoza, consisting of 5,000 infantry and 800 cavalry. The Dutch army was led by two of the brothers of William, Louis and Henry of Nassau, and consisted of 5,500 infantry and 2,600 cavalry.

The Dutch first released several salvo's bringing the spanish low damage. When the Dutch returned to the base to reload, they were intercepted by the Spanish cavalry. This delivered 1,000 losses on the Dutch side.

The ensuing 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.