The siege of Leyden

 The Moneychanger

VERBATIM

 A romantic depiction of the mayor of Leiden offering his arms as food to the starving inhabitants of Leiden during the siege by the Spanish in the Fall of 1574.

On 23 January 1579 the Union of Utrecht was signed, creating the Dutch Republic. They fought the Spanish 80 years (1568-1648) to make good their independence. What a people! Tiny country, mighty hearts. At the siege of Leyden (1573/4) one of the leaders addressed the starving people and said, "Starvation is preferable to dishonored death. . . my life is at your disposal; here is my sword, plunge it into my breast, & divide my flesh among you. Take my body to appease your hunger, but expect no surrender, so long as I remain alive."

Encouraged, the defenders returned to the walls & hurled renewed defiance at their enemies. "Ye call us rat- eaters and dog-eaters, and it it true. So long, then, as ye hear dog bark or cat mew within the walls, ye may know that the city holds out. And when all has perished save ourselves, be sure that we will each devour our left arms, retaining our right to defend our women, our liberty, and our religion against the foreign tryant. The siege of Leyden Giants say such things; giants do them.