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Louis de Boisot
Hurry, They’re Escaping!
Louis de Boisot, Lieutenant-Admiral of Zeeland and Holland, led the Sea Beggars[1] (watergeuzen) on a daring journey by ship to put an end to Leiden’s suffering.
Cheered enthusiastically by the citizens of Leiden, the Sea Beggars, under his command, entered the city to drive out the Spanish.
Photographer: Loes van Herpen
Model: Pascal Koolmoes
Thanks to: Hoppezak Company. Clothing and makeup: Adrienne and André Hoppezak and Patricia de Vriend.
[1] a confederacy of Calvinist Dutch nobles, who from 1566 opposed Spanish rule in the Netherlands. The most successful of which operated from sea
Leeuwken
Oops, What’s That Spaniard Doing There?
Leeuwken Leeuwtje, a 16-year-old boy, defended the city of Leiden until his last breath during the siege. On July 5, 1574, he was captured by the Spanish. De Valdez tried to convince him to work for the Spanish, but Leeuwtje refused and was hanged.
He managed to escape but was later shot by the Spanish.
Photographer: Geertje Ouwehand.
Models: Emma van Beek and Argentina Falcescu
Thanks to: Hoppezak Company. Clothing and makeup: Adrienne and André Hoppezak and Patricia de Vriend.
Willem Corneliszoon van Duijvenbode
Pigeon Post
Willem Corneliszoon van Duijvenbode was an organist and ensign in the militia. He offered his pigeons to send secret messages to the Sea Beggars[1]. Without these messages, the people of Leiden wouldn’t have known that help was near, and the city council might have surrendered. As a reward, he was given the title ‘Van Duijvenbode’ (the Pigeon Messenger) and a coat of arms. The letters can be seen in the Lakenhal Museum.
Photographer: Henny Slabber
Model: Hanna van den Berg
Thanks to: Hoppezak Company. Clothing and makeup: Adrienne and André Hoppezak and Patricia de Vriend.
[1] a confederacy of Calvinist Dutch nobles, who from 1566 opposed Spanish rule in the Netherlands. The most successful of which operated from sea.
Pieter van der Werff
Unfortunately Still Necessary!
Pieter van der Werff was the mayor of Leiden during the siege. In a desperate moment, he offered his body as food to help his people, saying, ‘If my death will help, take this body; cut it into pieces and share it as far as it will stretch.’
Sadly, even today, it is still necessary to distribute food to those in need.
Photographer: Jort Gerritsma
Models: Edwin Haasbroek & volunteers from the Leiden Food Bank
Location: Leiden Food Bank
Thanks to: Hoppezak Company. Clothing and makeup: Adrienne and André Hoppezak and Patricia de Vriend.
Made possible by the cooperation of the Leiden Food Bank, Willem Barentszstraat 37, Leiden.
Johan Fruytiers
Listen to Me!
Johan Fruytiers was a Protestant poet and writer who fled to the Netherlands to live in freedom. He believed that floods, the Black Death, and war were punishments from God, caused by the Roman Catholic Church. He urged everyone to listen, so change could happen. His motto was ‘Be What You Are.’ Fruytiers witnessed the occupation of Leiden firsthand and wrote a book about the siege.
Photographer: Loes van Herpen
Model: Martin Vreeken
Thanks to: Hoppezak Company. Clothing and makeup: Adrienne and André Hoppezak and Patricia de Vriend.
Jan van Hout
Tolerance
A key motivator behind the Dutch revolt against Philip II was the desire for religious freedom. Jan van Hout (1542-1609), who played a crucial role as city secretary during the siege of Leiden, embodied this spirit of tolerance. Today, the concept of tolerance has expanded and is symbolized by the rainbow flag.
Photographer: Robert Kloosterman
Model: Thea van Kooperen
Thanks to:
– Hoppezak Company. Clothing and makeup: Adrienne and André Hoppezak and Patricia de Vriend.
– De Pieterskerk Leiden.
Willem van Oranje
A Selfie with Myself
In 1575, William de Zwijger (William the Silent) founded Leiden University. Recently, someone visiting the Academy Building couldn’t resist snapping a quick selfie with the beautiful bust of William of Orange.
Photographer: Rob Beurse
Model: Frouke de Jong
Location: Academy Building, Leiden
Thanks to: Hoppezak Company. Clothing and makeup: Adrienne and André Hoppezak and Patricia de Vriend.
Jan van der Does and His Friend Jan van Hout
Freedom Through Friendship
Nobleman, poet, and commander Jan van der Does (also known as Janus Dousa) worked with his friend Jan van Hout to defend the city of Leiden. After the city’s liberation in 1574, they played a key role in founding Leiden University the following year. Jan even wrote a poem called ‘Friendship’ in Janus’ friendship book (yes men had friendship books in those days!). Today, they would likely celebrate by getting tattoos and enjoying some Leiden beers!
Photographer: Sasja Dirkse
Models: Benjamin Wegman (Janus Dousa) and Willem ten Teije (Jan van Hout)
Location: Senate Room, Academy Building Leiden
Thanks to: Hoppezak Company. Clothing and makeup: Adrienne and André Hoppezak and Patricia de Vriend.
The Spaniards
The Spaniards with a Group Discount
After failing to defeat the people of Alkmaar, the Spanish, led by commander De Valdez, arrived in Leiden at the end of 1573. The city was besieged for a year with no one able to enter or leave. However, the people of Leiden didn’t give up, and by October 1574, the Spanish were forced to retreat.
Photographer: Stan Klinkenberg
Models: Members of EFL
Location: Leiden Lammenschans Station
Thanks to: Hoppezak Company. Clothing and makeup: Adrienne and André Hoppezak and Patricia de Vriend.
Magdalena Moons and Francisco de Valdez
Yes, I Will Marry You
During the siege of Leiden, Magdalena Moons persuaded the Spanish army leader Francisco de Valdez to delay his attack on the city. In return, Magdalena promised to marry him. This delay was crucial as the Spanish had to flee when the dikes were breached, and water flooded the area.
Photographer: Tom Reedijk
Models: Josine Heijnen and Maley Sidibé
Thanks to: Hoppezak Company. Clothing and makeup: Adrienne and André Hoppezak and Patricia de Vriend.
Cornelis Joppenszoon
They’ve Left
Orphan boy Cornelis Joppenszoon sneaked out of the city during the siege of Leiden. He suspected the Spanish had left and went to check at the Lammen fort. Sure enough, they were gone, and he found a pot of stew still hanging over the fire. Without hesitation, Cornelis grabbed the pot and rushed back to Leiden with the food and the good news. It was October 3, 1574.
Photographer: Rob Beurse
Model: Marc Montagne
Thanks to: Hoppezak Company. Clothing and makeup: Adrienne and André Hoppezak and Patricia de Vriend.
The Sea Beggars
Water Drives Out the Spaniards
The Sea Beggars[1]‘ fleet waited near a farm in Zoeterwoude to relieve Leiden. The dikes were breached, flooding the land, which allowed their boats to sail up to Leiden’s gates. The Spanish fled when the water reached Leiden, and the Sea Beggars sailed into the city, distributing herring and bread to the starving people.
Photographers: Sasja Dirkse/Tom Reedijk
Models: Adrienne and André Hoppezak and Patricia de Vriend
Thanks to: Hoppezak Company. Clothing and makeup: Adrienne and André Hoppezak and Patricia de Vriend.
[1] a confederacy of Calvinist Dutch nobles, who from 1566 opposed Spanish rule in the Netherlands. The most successful of which operated from sea