Battle of Turnhout (1597)

The Battle of Turnhout was a military engagement which took place on 24 January 1597 in the border area between the Northern and Southern Netherlands at Turnhout during the Eighty Years' War and the Anglo-Spanish War (1585–1604). Though the town had not been walled, Turnhout was an important strategic town.

On 24 January 1597 on the Tielenheide (this battle is also called 'The battle on Tielenheide') in a neighbouring village (Tielen), Dutch cavalry under command of Prince Maurice met and defeated a Spanish cavalry detachment under Varax. The Spanish cavalry was driven off, after which the Dutch cavalry fell upon the straggling Spanish infantry, who being caught in marching order in the open were unable to properly form up before the cuirassiers were upon them and inside their ranks, henceforward they were routed with heavy casualties. Dutch troops also burnt parts of the local castle. The ever prudent Maurice failed to follow up and turn the tactical victory into a strategic one.

Cultural

Music composer Kevin Houben commemorated the battle in his concert work, Thyellene, battle on the heath. In September 2008, Brassband Kempenzonen Tielen played this work on the site where once the battle took place.

The defeat of Varax inspired the writing of the hymn We Gather Together.

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