When: annually, October 3.
The Dutch city of Leiden (province of South Holland) celebrates around 3 October during the 3 October Festival. The siege of the city ended in 1574. In 1573 and 1574, the city was besieged by the Spanish. In Dutch, these festivities are known as “Leidens Ontzet” or “het 3 Oktoberfeest.”
About the 3 October Festival
On and around 3 October every year, the 3 October Festival is celebrated in the southern Dutch city of Leiden. This celebration centres on the liberation of the town by the Beggars on 3 October 1574. The city was liberated after being besieged by the Spaniards during the Eighty Years’ War. The festivities usually start a week earlier and the exact programming can be found on the website of the 3 October Vereeniging.
Origin
The origin is clear: Leiden was liberated (relieved) by the Beggars led by Louis de Boisot (1530 – 1576). They reached the city after the dykes had been breached. This happened months before. Meanwhile, the city of Leiden had been besieged by troops led by Francisco de Valdez (1511 – 1580) since 30 October 1573. The Spanish general was ordered to bring the city back under Spanish rule. The city council led by mayor Pieter Adriaansz van der Werff (1529 – 1604) had chosen to side with the Rebels.
"Tachtigjarige Oorlog" - Eighty Years' War
The Siege of Leiden took place during the “Tachtigjarige Oorlog” (Eigty Years’ War), which occurred between 1566 and 1648. The Seventeen Provinces fought against Spanish rule. The Siege of Leiden (1573-1574) is among the most important events of this war. It was logical, as much of the southern part of South Holland was involved. The city of Leiden was besieged; the surrounding country was also affected. The siege of the city was not a continuous period, as the Battle of the Mookerheide (14 April 1574) caused a break in the siege of the city.
A second siege followed and it would last until 3 October 1574. Pierced dykes and a fleet of Sea Beggars meant that the Spanish troops also had to abandon the last entrenchment, the Lammenschans. There, in the early morning of 3 October, a boy found that abandoned entrenchment. On that abandoned entrenchment he also found a pot of hutspot. Since then, people in Leiden have been eating hutspot and celebrating.
Modern celebration
The modern celebration annually consists of a large funfair, a goods market and numerous other activities. You can read more about it via the aforementioned website of the 3 October Vereenging.
More information
Information about the image at the top of this page:
The 3 October Festival in 1931. Photo: Erfgoed Leiden.
The 3 October Festival in 1931. Photo: Erfgoed Leiden.
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