Cover painting: El milagro de Empel, by Augusto Ferrer-Dalmau (2015).

In 1585, around 3,000-4,000 Spanish soldiers under Francisco de Bobadilla, of the Spanish tercios in Dutch territory, faced starvation during the Dutch War of Independence (or the Eighty Years’ War, 1568-1648) while besieging ‘s-Hertogenbosch. The area where they settled, the island of Bommelwaard (between the Maas and Waal rivers), was supposed to sustain them, but all the farmers had fled, taking their goods and belongings with them.

Additionally, 100 Dutch warships under Philip of Hohenlohe arrived as reinforcements, accompanied by land forces. The Dutch commander proposed an honorable surrender to the Spanish, but the response was defiant: “Spanish soldiers prefer death over dishonor. We will talk about surrender after we are dead.” (Los infantes españoles prefieren la muerte a la deshonra. Ya hablaremos de capitulación después de muertos.)

The Dutch broke through the defenses of Bommelwaard and forced the Spanish to retreat to Empel, unable to attack ‘s-Hertogenbosch as the area had flooded. The situation for the Spanish appeared hopeless. A Spanish soldier digging a trench around the church bitterly remarked, “This is more likely to be my grave than a trench.” With little hope remaining due to hunger and the dire circumstances, the soldier uncovered a wooden panel depicting the Virgin Mary, specifically the Immaculate Conception. This discovery was seen as a divine sign. The Spanish troops, desperate and inspired by the image, placed it prominently and prayed for a miracle.

Francisco gathered his officers and instructed them to attack the enemy ships when night fell. Some captains “suggested” that it was a better choice killing each other rather than falling to enemy fire, but Bobadilla reprimanded them and then encouraged them to fight to the death, entrusting their lives to the protection of the Virgin Mary.

That night, a sudden drop in temperature froze the shallow floodwaters. This allowed the Spanish troops, in the early hours of December 8, 1585, to march across the ice, completely surprising their opponents and setting the enemy ships ablaze. Admiral Hohenlohe then responded, saying, “In my opinion, it seems that God is Spanish to work so great a miracle [for them]. Five thousand Spaniards who were also five thousand soldiers […] and five thousand devils.” The next day, the besieged Dutch fort was also captured.

On that same day, the Virgin Mary was declared the patroness of the Spanish tercios of Flanders and Italy. The establishment of this tradition was formalized much later, on December 8, 1854, and on November 12, 1892, by royal decree of Maria Christina of Austria, the Immaculate Virgin was named the patroness of the Infantry. The “Miracle of Empel” has continued to hold cultural and religious significance in Spain. Modern commemorations still take place, especially on December 8, which is also the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Spanish military units stationed in the Netherlands, as part of NATO operations, often participate in these events, honoring the long-standing tradition and its historical roots.