Siege of Utrecht (1483)

Only back in control of the city of Utrecht since April 21, 1483, Prince-Bishop David of Burgundy was surprised in his old episcopal palace by a daring and stealthy night raid of the Hooks on May 8.

When Maximilian of Austria heard this news, he formed a large army under Joost de Lalaing to besiege Utrecht.

Shortly thereafter the inconsidered action of a party of Maximilian's troops broke the truce and in reaction Jan of Montfoort's Hook militants re-commenced hostilities with their besiegers.

The resumption of hostilities led to a hand-to-hand struggle for Utrecht which became uglier by the day with both sides suffering severe losses.

For financial, political and economic reasons it was in the interest of both Maximilian and David of Burgundy to effect a lasting reconciliation with their adversaries, and their moderate post-war policies reflected this need.