An English and Dutch Republican force under John Norreys successfully relieved the town on January 24, and the Spanish in addition to ill-health and lack of supplies subsequently lifted the siege in February.

[1] In March 1577, the Spanish brought a contingent of soldiers from Wallonia to maintain their rule in the rebellious province of Overijssel.

[4] A bombardment in November destroyed about seventy houses, testing the city residents, who were already suffering because the harvest that year had been poor.

The Dutch Republican forces then asked John Norreys, who was in Brabant, to help relieve the beleaguered garrison.

The city canal and Vledder Aa froze over several times, causing problems, such as soldiers and guns falling through the ice while attempting to cross.

[2] In a short time the Spanish army, now led by Anthonie de Coquele, was expanded to over 1,000 men, including Spaniards, Italians, Walloons, and Burgundians.

It was not until 1597, after a failed attack by the Spanish under Count Frederik van den Bergh, that the Council of State found the resources to reconstruct the defenses and the city.