Throughout the 16th Century, the Spanish had an aura of invincibility.
They controlled a vast colonial empire that stretched across the
Americas and the Pacific, and held considerable territories in Europe,
centering on the so-called "Spanish Road." The Dutch War of Independence
(also known as the 80 Years' War) was a major challenge to their
dominance. The Dutch army created by Maurice of Nassau used innovative
new tactics and training to take the fight to Spain and in so doing
created a model that would be followed by European armies for
generations to come.
The second in a two-part series on the Dutch armies of the 80 Years'
War, focuses on the cavalry, artillery, and engineers of the evolving
armies created by Maurice of Nassau. Using specially commissioned
artwork and photographs of historical artifacts, it shows how the Dutch
cavalry arm, artillery, and conduct of siege warfare contributed to the
long struggle against the might of the Spanish Empire.