The Siege of Haarlem took place from 1572 to 1573 during the Eighty Years' War, a conflict between the Dutch and the Spanish Empire. The city of Haarlem, located in the Netherlands, was a stronghold for the Dutch rebels seeking independence. The siege began when Spanish forces, led by Count Francisco Álvarez de Toledo, surrounded the city, aiming to crush the rebellion. Despite facing severe shortages of food and resources, the defenders of Haarlem, under the leadership of Lieutenant Willem van der Marck, held out for several months. The siege ended in July 1573 when the city fell to the Spanish, resulting in significant casualties and a harsh punishment for the inhabitants.