Sieges

From that time the history of our town is put on record, neat and decently, however not less turbulent than before.

A small selection:

A natural port such as Nieuwpoort had to become the object of many military ambitions. Without wanting to talk about the Romans, Vikings and company, the town survived the following sieges:
1213 French siege and destruction of the town.
1299 ditto
1328 ditto
1383 this time de people of Ghent. The town was set on fire and destroyed.
1489 the French, people of Bruges and Ghent: the siege has been beaten off thanks to the aid of the courageous women of Nieuwpoort, from whom Mathias Reynoudt says that they have fought "soo cloeckelijkcke" as Amazons!
1576-1583 occupation by the Dutchmen.
1600 the famous battle of Nieuwpoort. After their victory in Lombardsijde, the Dutchmen are firing at the town. The besieged break out a few times and the besiegers slink off.
1647 a siege by the French general Turenne has been beaten off.
1658 again the French with the same result.
1745 the French armies attack the town that had to surrender.
1793 the French general Van Damme besieges Nieuwpoort during six days and surrenders.
1794 again the French, this time they occupy the town
1914 Nieuwpoort is nearly completely destroyed by the German artillery, but never been occupied
thanks to the flooding of the IJzer plain.
1940 the town is pounded by the Germans and occupied. This time for more than four years.

The French, Dutchmen, Dutchmen, French, people of Bruges and of Ghent … only a tough race can survive all this!