Battle of the Scheldt (1574)

Battle of the Scheldt (1574)
Part of the Eighty Years' War

Tapestry of the battle
Made by Hendrick Cornelisz Vroom and Karel van Mander the Younger
Date29 January 1574
Location51°28′N 4°8′E / 51.467°N 4.133°E / 51.467; 4.133
Result Dutch victory
Belligerents
Dutch rebels Spain
Commanders and leaders
Louis de Boisot
Joos de Moor
Julián Romero
Gerard de Glymes 
Strength
64 ships 75 ships
Casualties and losses
300 killed or wounded
2 ships sunk
15 ships sunk
1,200 dead

The Battle of the Scheldt also known as the Battle of Walcheren (known in Dutch as Slag bij Reimerswaal) was a naval battle that took place on 29 January 1574 during the Eighty Years' War. The battle was fought between a Dutch rebel Sea Beggar fleet (which included English and Scottish volunteers) under Lodewijk van Boisot and a Spanish fleet under Julián Romero. The Spanish fleet was attempting to relieve the Spanish held town of Middelburg which was under siege but the fleet under Boisot intercepted them and were victorious with the destruction or capture of nearly fifteen ships. Middelburg as a result then surrendered only nine days later along with Arnemuiden.