Hoorn celebrated the Battle of the Zuiderzee on a grand scale 450 years later. A few heavy showers, a lot of wind and a cold temperature did not stop the visitors. There was music, a replication of Statenjacht de Utrecht and of course the battle on the water was also re-enacted. And small spoiler, sailor Jan Haring remains the big hero.
It is the second time that Hoorn commemorates this historic event from 1573. When asked why, Ron Dol from the organization says: “It would be better to say, why not? 125 years ago it was already written in a Chronicle: ‘Why does Hoorn celebrate not this?’ It has been a turning point in the birth of the Netherlands.”
For that we have to go back to October 11, 1573. The day on which the impossible did happen. The actually unbeatable Spanish fleet is attacked by the Water Beggars. They manage to board the States yacht Utrecht, carrying Admiral Bossu, the leader of the Spaniards.
Confusion due to cut admiral’s flag
Seaman Jan Haring climbs the mast and cuts off the admiral’s flag. As a result, the Spaniards think that Bossu has surrendered and part of their fleet flees. The Turning Point in the Eighty Years’ War. Haring had to pay for his heroic act with death. He is shot dead as he tries to climb down from the mast.
In any case, reason enough to reflect on this annually, according to organizer Dol. “This battle was forgotten, lost on people. The West Fries Museum, the West Fries Archives, the archaeological service and the Hoorn Art and Culture Foundation have joined forces to do something about it.”