Europe During the Twelve Years Truce 1609–21

Abstract

The duchies of Jülich, Cleves, Mark, Berg and Ravensberg, ruled by one family, were of great strategic importance in the lower Rhineland. Their territories, interlinked with those of Cologne, provided Spinola in 1605 and 1606 with a most valuable base from which to attack the United Provinces through Overijssel and Friesland. Similarly, the Dutch, if able to control these territories, could sever communications between Flanders and Cologne and launch an invasion across the Maas against the undefended flank of the Army of Flanders. Both Spain and the United Provinces, therefore, observed with unabated interest the fortunes of the ruling family of Jülich-Cleves.