Outbreak of the Eighty Years' War

Timeline

1. 1568German frontier · RhinelandWilliam of Orange raised mercenaries and exiles in Germany, advancing on the Netherlands from the east and south in three columns, hoping to coordinate with domestic sympathizers to overthrow Alva's regime.
2. 1568Heiligerlee · GroningenLouis of Nassau led the eastern army to defeat the Spanish garrison at Heiligerlee in Groningen province, a rare early victory for the revolt; his brother Adolf of Nassau was killed, and the battle is regarded as one of the markers of the Eighty Years' War's beginning.
3. 1568Jemgum · NetherlandsThe center column led personally by William was heavily defeated by Montoya, a lieutenant of Alva, at Jemgum; the 1568 invasion overall failed, but armed resistance had become open, and subsequent naval and guerrilla warfare continued.