The city was defended by Frederik van den Bergh who had been commissioned for the defence by King Philip II of Spain.

However a failed attack on the besiegers as well as desertions and disease meant the Spanish relief force had to retreat leaving Coevorden to its fate.

Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma, although wounded from his unsuccessful campaign in Northern France had returned to the Netherlands, near Zeeland and the States General wanted to recall Maurice there.

[8] Coevorden itself was an important five bastion fortress in the east of the country and lay between two large marshes; the Bourtange swamp which was thirty miles to the bay at Dollart and the other spread as far as the Zuider Zee.

Verdugo having been positioned in Groenlo, prepared with the veteran Spanish general Cristóbal de Mondragón to launch a strike against any potential siege.

[13] On 26 July, Maurice's forces arrived at Coevorden and began the siege; the garrison had a thousand veterans as well as 900 militia all under the command of Frederik van den Bergh.

Maurice put his cousin William Louis, Count of Nassau-Dillenburg in charge of the siege whilst he ventured to Ootmarsum to counter any relief attempt by the Spanish.

[14] Mining and sapping continued for the besiegers – their pioneers and engineers constructed dams that cut off the canal which fed the ditch lines - these were dug up to it from which the water was drained.

By August 23 the veteran Tercio regiments of Mondragon, Gonzaga, Mansfield, and Arenburg; a force of 5,000 men had crossed the Rhine at Rheinberg.

News reached Maurice of this force soon after, and he prepared for a confrontation with Verdugo, and as a result several forts were built in strategic places around the siege positions.

Part of Vere's English army meanwhile had also heard of Verdugo's relief; they broke camp at Doesburg and immediately marched back to Coevorden.

[3][15] Barely before the fight had begun however, English soldiers under Vere struck at the Spanish assault ranging within cannon-shot of the trenches just as some of the Dutch were falling back.

[16] Verdugo then tried to starve the surrounding area so as to make sure the town held out longer but the besiegers themselves however, had ensured a sufficient supply of food and ammunition.