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FritzVicari — The Duellists of Made, October 1624 by-nc-sa

Published: 2014-01-07 20:13:24 +0000 UTC; Views: 2253; Favourites: 17; Downloads: 28
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Description ENGLISH (based on M. Diaz Gavier, Breda 1625):


The dutch relief for the besieged city of Breda, led by the Stadtholder Maurice of Nassau, Prince of Orange came from the north and occupied the town of Made. A few miles to the south east of their position, the spaniards held the town of Ousterhoot. Both Maurice and Spinola were not willing to risk their men in an open battle. The two armies faced each other for weeks and nothing happened. This was the most typical situation during the Thirty Years' War, as prudence and patience were virtues followed by most commanders.


The Count and Colonel of a german regiment, John VIII of Nassau-Siegen, cousin of the dutch Stadtholder and catholic at the service of the Spanish king since 1612, was challenged to a duel by a french trumpeteer. The Colonel, accompanied by captain Steenhuysen and two leutenants, reached the protestant lines outside the town of Made to meet the four protestant champions. Nassau-Siegen received a pistol shot on the saddle but managed to shoot dead his opponent with a point blank shot in the neck (foreground). The leutenants and Captain Steenhuysen managed to beat their opponents as well, but the latter was wounded. Some of the dutch spectators were among the wounded as well, when they tried to help their officers. One almost managed to throw Nassau-Siegen off his horse, which managed to flee to Ousterhoot.


This episode was the most relevant event between Made and Ousterhoot garrison and is remembered as "The Duel of Made".


ITALIANO (basato su M. Diaz Gavier, Breda 1625):


Lo Stadtholder Maurizio di Nassu, Principe di Orange, guidò personalmente l'esercito che dal nord si apprestava a soccorrere la città assediata di Breda. Occupata la cittadina di Made, Maurizio mantenne la propria posizione, fronteggiando la guarnigione spagnola della cittadina di Ousterhoot, poche miglia a sud est. Nè Maurizio, nè Spinola erano intenzionati a rischiare di sacrificare il proprio esercito in una battaglia campale. I due eserciti si fronteggiarono per settimane senza che accadesse niente. Questa era la situazione più tipica in un conflitto nel quale i comandanti erano assai dotati nelle virtù della pazienza e della prudenza.


Il conte e colonnello reggimentale tedesco, Giovanni VIII di Nassau-Siegen, cugino dello Stadtholder convertitosi al cattolicesimo nel 1612 e al servizio degli spagnoli, venne sfidato a duello da un trombettiere francese, proveniente dai ranghi protestanti a Made. Il mattino seguente, si presentò al campo olandese insieme al capitano Steenhuysen e due tenenti, avendo raccolto la sfida. Il conte ricevette un colpo di pistola all'arcione anteriore della sella, ma riuscì a uccidere il proprio avversario con un colpo di pistola a bruciapelo nel collo (in primo piano). I due tenenti e il capitano Steenhuysen riuscino a sconfiggere i propri avversari, anche se il capitano venne ferito. Tra i feriti risultarono anche alcuni soldati olandesi che avevano assistito al duello e che si erano slanciati a soccorrere i propri ufficiali. Uno quasi riuscì a disarcionare Nassau-Siegen, che riuscì fortunosamente a tornare a Ousterhoot.


Questo episodio fu sostanzialmente l'unico scontro tra le guarnigioni di Made e Ousterhoot ed è ricordato come il "Duello di Made".




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Comments: 8

Roger-Raven [2014-01-08 22:21:29 +0000 UTC]

So the Catholic won?

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FritzVicari In reply to Roger-Raven [2014-01-08 22:52:38 +0000 UTC]

In fact, yes. This according to Diaz Gavier, at least: I couldn't find other sources on the specific episode. 

You may remember a similar duel scene between Spanish and Dutch frontlines in "El Sol de Breda" by Perez Reverte.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Schweinebeine [2014-01-08 17:06:52 +0000 UTC]

whoa! love the horses, the faces and the smoke effect!!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

FritzVicari In reply to Schweinebeine [2014-01-08 18:39:58 +0000 UTC]

I'm not fully happy about the horses, there are still a lot of stuff I should learn on them

But thank you very much anyway! 

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Xamlllew [2014-01-08 17:02:49 +0000 UTC]

Good work again, nice dynamic poses.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

FritzVicari In reply to Xamlllew [2014-01-08 17:04:08 +0000 UTC]

Thanks a lot! Glad you appreciate!

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

BrowncoatMando [2014-01-07 23:44:41 +0000 UTC]

these are BIG bullets too aren't they?

safe to assume point blank like this is really the only effective range

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

FritzVicari In reply to BrowncoatMando [2014-01-08 00:09:43 +0000 UTC]

Generally the calibre was surely above 10mm up to 20 or even more.

There wasn't any standard, anyway, so I'm not sure. Probably I have exaggerated a bit the effect of a point blank shot in the neck with a cavalry pistol. The damage was already done (with ink!) anyway.

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