The inhabitants of Maestricht, in concert with their German garrison,
drove out the Spaniards in 1576. Their intention was to unite
themselves with the Dutch, who had shaken off the yoke of Spain.
Vargos, the general of Philip II., hastened to endeavour to regain
possession of the place; of which he had the greater hopes from being
still master of Wyck. The conquered, humiliated by a disgrace of which
they were the more sensible from its having arisen out of their own
negligence, were eager to repair their fault by instantly taking back
what they had lost. As they saw no other obstacle to their doing so
but some pieces of cannon placed upon the bridge which unites the
two cities, they formed, to avoid this danger, a most extraordinary
resolution. They placed before them all the women of Wyck. Provided
with this rampart, they advanced over the bridge, and, covered with
these singular bucklers, they fired boldly and safely upon the
citizens, who, not being able to defend themselves without shooting
their relations, or at least the women of their party, quitted their
post, took refuge in their houses, and abandoned the field of battle to
the Spaniards, who thus remastered the city without receiving a single
wound.
But Maestricht again revolted, and freed itself from the Spanish yoke.