Battle of Cape St Vincent (November 4, 1641)

Battle of Cape St Vincent (November 4, 1641)

Background In 1641, after the outbreak of the Portuguese Restoration War, the Portuguese government, with Dutch and French help, prepared to start the offensive against Spain at sea. From the Dutch side, the Dutch States-General decided to send a fleet of 20...
Battle of Itamaracá (January 12-17,1640)

Battle of Itamaracá (January 12-17,1640)

Towards the afternoon of January 12, 1640, the two fleets came into sight of each other, the armada moving up again, now against the south wind, heading for Pao Amorello, some miles north of Olinda, to put his troops ashore there, Loos before the wind sailing,...
Maurits sails to Brasil and directly takes control

Maurits sails to Brasil and directly takes control

The second tour to Brasil of Piet Hein (1626 – 1627).

The second tour to Brasil of Piet Hein (1626 – 1627).

Voor de tweede tocht (1626-1627) werd Hein door de WIC op 28 maart 1626 benoemd tot admiraal en kapitein-generaal, met het militaire opperbevel van alle Nederlandse activiteiten in Amerika. Hij zou alleen ondergeschikt zijn aan Boudewijn...
Attack on Cadiz 1625

Attack on Cadiz 1625

The background behind the Anglo Spanish war In 1622, Philip IV reigned in Spain, with Gaspar de Guzmán, Count-Duke of Olivares as his favourite. The War of Flanders had reignited after the Twelve Years’ Truce, and Spain’s finances flowed from its imports...
Massacre at Elmina (1625)

Massacre at Elmina (1625)

The battle of San Juan (1625)

The battle of San Juan (1625)

Failed attempt to conquer Luanda in Angola (1624)

Failed attempt to conquer Luanda in Angola (1624)

Journal of Piet Heyn’s journey to Brazil and West Africa 1624-1625communicated by L.M. Akveld
Capture of Salvador de Bahia (1624)

Capture of Salvador de Bahia (1624)

The Groot Desseyn (1623)

The Groot Desseyn (1623)

The Groot Desseyn (Dutch for “Grand Design”) was a plan devised in 1623 by the Dutch West India Company to seize the Portuguese/Spanish possessions of the Iberian Union in Africa and the Americas, in order that the Spanish...