The Battle of Haarlemmermeer was a naval engagement fought on May 26, 1573, during the Dutch War of Independence. It was fought on the waters of the Haarlemmermeer – a large lake which at the time was a prominent feature of north Holland (it would be drained in the 19th Century). A Spanish fleet, commanded by the count of Bossu, fought a Dutch fleet of rebellious Sea Beggars, commanded by Marinus Brandt, who were trying to break the Siege of Haarlem. After several hours of fight, The Sea Beggars were forced to retreat.