For What is Ours: Kenau, and the true History of the Siege of Haarlem

1572 Northern Europe Across the Low Countries, a handful of towns and cities have barricaded their gates against the Spanish King Phillip IIs invading army, led by the bloodthirsty Duke of Alva. Few towns remain untouched. With Amsterdam long ago subjugated, and ruthless slaughter in Dutch town after town, Spains mighty foothold in the Netherlands is gaining strength. The country is in the grip of Spain, and that grip is tightening. Ten miles west of Amsterdam, the little city of Haarlem means either victory or defeat for Spain, over the 'rebel Dutch'. As the Spanish army advances, Haarlem is thrown into disorganised panic. Should they hand the city over to Alva to save their lives and risk sacrificing their eternal souls, or should they fight for their right to remain free citizens in their own country? The town is divided. Someone has to make a stand. Northern Europe in the 16th century was a dangerous place for women, and when a city was under attack, women fought. Towns and cities were built with ramparts, they were formed as citadels, or bastions, and when attacked everyone defended their home. Women were probably more vicious in battle than weve ever given them credit for, as a woman I feel particularly touched by accounts of mans inhumanity towards women. I immediately put myself in Kenaus shoes, as a mature Dutch woman, mother, and indeed no fool, Kenau must have known that once those marauding Spaniards broke through the walls and gates of Haarlem, she and her daughters, sisters and nieces would lose their lives in ways too terrible to contemplate. So Kenau wasted no time in contemplating the obvious; she rounded up three hundred of Haarlems toughest, most formidable women, and taught them how to defend themselves; to fight off the enemy, and to protect their beloved city. But first they rebuilt the decrepit walls of Haarlem. Then they waited. This is the tale of those brave souls left behind to face the enemy head on.