[2] During the weekend of 25 and 26 June 1672, a French invasion force totaling more than 5,000 men attacked the neglected fortress town of Aardenburg, which had only 186 civilians and 40 soldiers to defend it.
When the French troops attacked the second night, the defenders were joined by about 160 soldiers and boatswains from nearby Cadzand and Sluis.
[2] Sandra is said to have crafted ammunition during the battle and has been singled out as a representative for all the women who took part in the city's defense.
Margaretha Sandra's name was not specifically mentioned in descriptions of the battle at that time, which has led to some controversy over her role as heroine.
Indeed, the documents about the siege—mostly eyewitness letters, printed extracts of which were distributed immediately in 1672—make no mention of Margaretha Sandra.