海利赫莱战役 (1568年)

背景

西属尼德兰的格罗宁根省遭反抗军入侵，当中有拿骚的路易斯率领的3,900名步兵及拿骚的阿道夫率领的200名骑兵，两位指挥官都是奥兰治亲王威廉一世的兄弟。反抗军的目的是发起武装革命，对抗尼德兰的西班牙统治者。西班牙方面，菲士兰省省督兼阿伦贝格公爵让·德利涅则有3,200名步兵及20名骑兵。

战役过程

阿伦贝格公爵起初选择避战，并等待梅根伯爵（Count of Meghem）的援军到来。然而5月23日时，阿道夫的骑兵引诱他出击，并在海利赫莱修道院伏击。西军最终踏入丘陵间的沼泽地，成为瓦隆雇佣军的猎物。荷兰反抗军以路易斯步兵为主，并最终击败西班牙部队。荷兰反抗军虽然战死了阿道夫在内的50人，但让西军损失超过450人，此外反抗军也俘获七门加农炮。

后续发展

然而反抗军的入侵未能攻占任何城市，并在不久后的耶明根战役中遭到击败。

荷兰国歌《威廉颂》有一句提到拿骚的阿道夫之死：

The Battle of Heiligerlee (Heiligerlee, Groningen, 23 May 1568) was fought between Dutch rebels and the Spanish army of Friesland. It was the first Dutch victory during the Eighty Years' War.

The Groningen province of the Spanish Netherlands was invaded by an army consisting of 3,900 infantry, led by Louis of Nassau, and 200 cavalry, led by Adolf of Nassau. Both of them were brothers of William I of Orange. The intention was to begin an armed uprising against the Spanish rulers of the Netherlands.

The Stadtholder of Friesland and also Duke of Arenberg, Johan de Ligne, had an army of 3,200 infantry and 20 cavalry.

Aremberg initially avoided confrontation and awaited reinforcements from the Count of Meghem. However, on 23 May, Adolf's cavalry lured him to an ambush at the monastery of Heiligerlee. Louis's infantry made up the bulk of the army and defeated the Spanish force which lost 460 men, and the invading force lost 50, including Adolf. The rebels captured seven cannons.

The invading force, however, did not capture any cities and was soon defeated at the Battle of Jemmingen.

The death of Adolf of Nassau is mentioned in the Dutch national anthem (fourth verse):

• Graef Adolff is ghebleven, In Vriesland in den slaech,
• "Count Adolf has died, in Friesland, in the battle"