The Dutch and French invaded from two sides in June 1635, and joined forces in the valley of the Meuse in July, while the Spanish field army under the Cardinal-Infante fell back to cover behind the well prepared defences of Brussels instead of risking envelopment by the massive invading Franco-Dutch force, turning the campaign into one of attrition.

Despite desperate efforts, the Dutch and their allies were not able to prevent Spanish forces from taking the towns of Limbourg, Gennep, Diest, and Goch around the south and east of the Republic.

A party of 500 German mercenaries under Lt.-Col. Eyndhouts, roaming on the Cardinal-Infrante's left flank, managed to surprise the unprepared fortress of Schenkenschans that at the time had a garrison of only 120, on the night of 27/28 July.

Frederick Henry personally started the siege of Schenkenschans within days of its fall, but soon transferred command to his cousin John Maurice, Prince of Nassau-Siegen.

According to an eye-witness, during one particular bombardment, One could hear the screaming and crying in the sconce while the air was filled with smoke and flying debris for two hours on end.

When finally John Maurice negotiated an honorable surrender with the new governor of the fortress, Gomar de Fourdin, only 600 survivors walked out on 30 April 1636.

[6] The population of the Dutch Republic, reeling from the recent defeats, was elated by the surrender, whereas the Spanish chief minister Olivares fell victim to despondency at the loss of such a promising gain.

[8]Though there may not have been a direct link with the loss of Schenkenschans for Spain,[9] the Cardinal-Infante decided to change the focus of the Spanish offensive to France in the summer of 1636.

[10] The fortress of Schenkenschans once more played an important role in Dutch history thirty six years later when it fell to the invading French without a shot being fired during the Rampjaar on 21 June 1672 in the Franco-Dutch War.