The 9 sieges of Maastricht
By the people of Liège
John of Bavaria, Bishop of Liege is at odds with his subjects and flees to Maastricht. Inhabitants of Liege encircle the city but heavy snowfall and frost forced the people of Liege to end the siege.
By the people of Liège
In the course of the year, the people of Liège return. From far and near, relief troops show up and drive the enemy to flight.
By the Spanish Army.
At the beginning of the Religious War comes a major attack by about 34,000 Spaniards olv. Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma. City was defended by 1,200 soldiers and 4,000 civilians olv. Sebastién Tapin. Siege lasted over 3 months. On June 29, the Spanish invaded the city through the Brussels Gate and began looting and killing. 2500 men lost on the Spanish side; around 4000 to 8000 men on the Maastricht side. The Spaniards remained in the city until 1632.
Army of the States General of the united Netherlands
On June 9, 21,000 men arrive in front of the city olv. Frederick Henry ( the City Challenger). The city is defended by 3,000 Spanish soldiers and 3,000 to 6,000 civilians olv. Baron van Lede. The main attack takes place again on the brusselspoort. On Aug. 22, at the insistence of the townspeople, van Lede surrenders the city. Maastricht becomes a Dutch city.
by the French
June 12, the French king, Louis XIV, surrounded the city with 40,000 men and 56 cannons. On June 24, olv. Sébastien le Prestre, Marquis de Vauban, starts the actual attack on the gate of Tongeren. The city is defended by 6,200 soldiers and the Maastricht citizens, this under the command of Gen. Maj. Jacques de Fariaux. On July 1, the city surrenders and counts 1,800 dead/wounded; the attacker counts 700 dead and 900 wounded. On June 25, in an attack on the Gate of Tongres, the commander of the 1st Company of White Musketeers Charles de Batz de Castelmore d'Artagnan falls. On November 6, 1678, the French leave Maastricht again.
By the State Army
On July 6, Stadholder William III of Orange surrounded the fortress with 25,000 men. On August 27, after an unsuccessful storming of the Hoornwerk Hoogwerk France, and with heavy losses, William III was forced to break the siege on the approach of a French disengagement army.
By the French
This siege was preceded, in 1747, by the battle of Lafelt. 79,000 men of French troops led by Maurice of Saxony meet an allied army of 68,000 men led by the Duke of Cumberland in the fields around Riemst. July 1, 4 a.m. The battle starts, July 2, 2 p.m. The Allies give up the fight. The fields left 5,000 dead and 10,000 wounded soldiers. In 1748, the French King Louis XV, commanding Maurice of Saxony, returned with 100,000 men and closed the fortress from the outside world on April 11. The city has 8,000 to 11,000 defenders led by Hobbe baron van Aylva. The main attack comes on the northern front around the Bosch Gate. On May 3, the city surrenders. Losses to the French 1600 men; the city itself 760 men. On Feb. 3, 1749, the French leave the city again.
by the French Revolutionaries
February 6, the French general Miranda surrounded the city with his revolutionary army. On March 3, 1793, this siege was lifted due to the defeat of the French at the Battle of Aldenhoven near Aachen.
Again by the French Revolutionaries
In September, General Kléber again, with an army of 40,000 men, stands before the gates of Maastricht and the city, after very heavy shelling with much damage to buildings and civilian houses, surrenders on November 3. The French will remain in charge in the city for 20 years.