The Netherlands resisted against Phillips II of Spain, led by William of Orange. Heavy fights took place in Haarlem. The city walls should protect Haarlem. In the beginning, Haarlem could resist well the Siege of Haarlem, as food was distributed to the city via Het Haarlemmer Meer. (Lake of Haarlem). But on the 26th of May 1573, Amsterdam cut off the distribution of food during the Battle of het Haarlemmermeer. On the 12th of July 1573, Haarlem surrendered. Haarlem should pay 250.000 Gulden and execute soldiers on the Grote Markt. (Geschiedenis in Beweging, 2022)
After the Siege of Haarlem, the city faced tough years. (Noord-Hollands archief, z.d.)