Leiden Under Siege!!!

October 2 and 3 are big deal here in Leiden. These dates are comparable to American Thanksgiving except for a different purpose. Instead the City gives thanks (originally) for surviving the siege of the Spanish army in 1574 during the Eighty Years' War. This is a significant event not only for the city but also in Dutch history as it was a turning point that eventually led to Dutch independence and the end of the Spanish empire.

Of course it now has turned into an annual fall festival complete with a carnival and the canceling of classes, where the entire city comes out to celebrate what is known as the 'Relief of Leiden.' This happened on the 3rd of October when a Dutch army flooded out the Spaniards and came in boats filled with food for the besieged citizens. This famous painting by Otto van Veen depicts the relief of the city (1574).

In gratitude for the successful defense of the city Prince William of Orange awarded the city the University of Leiden which was established in 1575. This picture shows the original city as it would have looked during the siege.
So this Tuesday and Wednesday I will be out with friends and the rest of the city enjoying the festival and the traditional Hutspot stew. I'll make sure to post some pictures from the festival later.