When the new Governor-General, Philip's half-brother Don Juan, arrived in the country in November 1576, he initially feigned readiness to cooperate with the States-General, but soon there was a rupture, and the war was resumed.

However, during a council of war before the battle his second-in-command, the Duke of Parma and the experienced commander Gabrio Serbelloni opposed the plan as they thought the risk too great.

[3] After having spent the night opposite the enemy, Don Juan's army attacked early in the morning of 31 July 1578.

After a wait of three hours, Don Juan ordered a company of musketeers under Alonso de Leyva and three troops of cuirassiers under the Marquis del Monte, to make a feint to the rear of the village on the Spanish left wing.

A skirmish ensued but neither Norris, nor Leyva followed through[5] However, a few English soldiers had become lost between the lines and this drew in reinforcements from both sides.

At the same time the entire Spanish infantry started an advance on the trenches, led by Parma who went ahead on foot, pike in hand.

Thinking that the States Army was retreating, they now pressed the attack, despite attempts from Don Juan and Parma to stop them.

In reality, the reinforced camp of Boussu was located behind the village and his artillery was drawn up in front of the real line.

However, Parma personally extricated them by way of a covered path through the village, while executing one of his famous cavalry manoeuvres.