Damiaatjes

Though Haarlem no longer has a wall around the city, or gates to close, the bells are still rung every evening.

Access to the city via the Nile was closed with a large, heavy harbor chain.

This ship sawed through the Damietta harbour chain and allowed the fleet to attack the city, which was a success.

The Damietta story is however contradicted by the eyewitness account of Oliver of Cologne, who led the Dutch fleet, and who never mentioned the heroic actions of the Haarlem knights.

The story gained in popularity after 1667 when the Dutch fleet broke another chain to win an important naval victory.

The coat of arms of Haarlem with the "Damiaatjes" hanging from the barren branches of the Haarlemmerhout .