106: The Sea Beggars: The Revolt in Holland and Zeeland

On April 1, 1572, a fleet of expelled privateers drops anchor at Brill with no food, no plan, and nowhere else to go. They expected to loot a town and leave. Instead, an argument over breakfast turns an accident into the foundation of a state.   This episode: who the Sea Beggars really were (mostly Dutch, not foreign pirates), why Elizabeth I’s expulsion was the push they needed, and how their leader, Willem II de la Marck (known as Lumey), with his uncut beard and hatred of priests, created a problem William of Orange could not ignore. We follow the wave of towns opening their gates, the remarkable meeting at Dordrecht where the States of Holland took charge of the revolt, and Orange’s retreat to Holland after the St. Bartholomew’s Day massacre shattered his plans.   Then came the sieges. Haarlem held for seven months, with soldiers fighting on skates and a mine detonated beneath the attackers, before falling in tragedy. Alkmaar held, and the sources disagree on whether it was flooding, rain, or the threat of destroying dikes.   By the end of 1573, the revolt is not a country, but it has a body, a navy, and a leader. Map of the Revolt in the Netherlands, 1572 Support the show Find us on Substack. Both Free and Premium content is available: https://substack.com/@itakehistorywithmycoffee Podcast website: https://www.podpage.com/i-take-history-with-my-coffee/ Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. Comments and feedback can be sent to itakehistory@gmail.com.  You can also leave a review on Apple Podcast and Spotify. Refer to the episode number in the subject line. If you enjoy this podcast, you can help support my work to deliver great historical content.  Consider buying me a coffee: I Take History With My Coffee is writing a history blog and doing a history podcast. (buymeacoffee.com) Visit audibletrial.com/itakehistory to sign up for your free trial of Audible, the leading destination for audiobooks. Intro Music: Hayden Symphony #39 Outro Music: Vivaldi Concerto for Mandolin and Strings in D