Breda

:For other uses see Breda (disambiguation).

The city of Breda

History

Breda was a fortified city of strategic significance in North Brabant. Many events transpired in the city.

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In the 11th century Breda was a direct fief of the Holy Roman Emperor, its earliest known lord being Henry of Brunesheim (1080 - 1125). In 1327 Breda was sold by Adelheid of Gaveren to John III, Duke of Brabant. In 1350 the fief was resold to John II of Wassenaar (d. 1377). In 1403 the heiress of his line, Johanna of Polanen (1392 - 1445), married Engelbert I of Nassau (1370 - 1442). Henceforth it remained in the house of Nassau, passing ultimately to William I of Orange (1533 - 1584), the first stadtholder of the Netherlands. Thus the baron of Breda was also count of Nassau, Germany; Prince of Orange and stadtholders of the Dutch Republic (from 1572-1650, 1672-1702, 1747-1795). Breda remained part of the barony Breda until it was extinguished by French revolutionary forces in 1795

Related Topics:
11th century - Fief - Holy Roman Emperor - 1080 - 1125 - 1327 - John III, Duke of Brabant - 1350 - 1377 - 1403 - 1392 - 1445 - Engelbert I of Nassau - 1370 - 1442 - House of Nassau - William I of Orange - 1533 - 1584 - Stadtholder - Count - Nassau - Prince of Orange - Dutch Republic - 1572 - 1650 - 1672 - 1702 - 1747 - 1795

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The city of Breda obtained a municipal charter in 1252. It was fortified in 1534 by Count Henry III of Nassau and remained an impregnable stronghold of the line of fortresses along the Meuse. Breda was captured by surprise by the Spaniards in 1581, but in 1590 it fell again into the hands of Maurice of Nassau, 68 picked men contriving to get into the town concealed under the turf in a peat-boat. The surrender of Breda in 1625, after a ten months siege, to the Spaniards under Spinola was memorialized by Diego Velasquez. In 1637 Breda was recaptured by Frederick Henry of Orange after a four months siege, and in 1648 it was finally ceded to the Netherlands by the Treaty of Westphalia.

Related Topics:
Municipal charter - 1252 - 1534 - 1581 - 1590 - Maurice of Nassau - 1625 - Spinola - Diego Velasquez - 1637 - Frederick Henry of Orange - 1648 - Treaty of Westphalia

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The toppled Stuart dynasty of King Charles II of England resided in Breda during his exile in the ongoing Cromwellian Commonwealth and Protectorate. Based mostly on suggestions by Parliamentarian General George Monck, Charles II's Declaration of Breda (1660) made known the conditions of his acceptance of the crown of England which he was to accept/resume later in the same year.

Related Topics:
Charles II of England - Protectorate - George Monck - Declaration of Breda

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The Treaty of Breda was signed in the city, July 31, 1667, bringing to an end the Second Anglo-Dutch War.

Related Topics:
Treaty of Breda - July 31 - 1667 - Second Anglo-Dutch War

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Breda was the site of one of the first panopticon prison establishments.

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During the World War II the city was under German occupation. It was liberated following a successful outflanking manouevre planned and performed by forces of 1st Polish Armoured Division of gen. Maczek on October 29, 1944.

Related Topics:
World War II - German - 1st Polish Armoured Division - Gen. Maczek - October 29 - 1944

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Administration

The city has the following suburban neighbourhoods:

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Princenhage (former village), Ginneken (former village), de Haagse Beemden, de IJpelaar, Heuzenhout or Heusdenhout, Belcrum, and de Hoge Vucht.

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Economy

Economic activities are mainly industrial. Breda traditionally was, and still is, a center of the candy industry. Breda also has a sugar factory, supplying the candy industry, and a brewery (Oranjeboom) which is one of the biggest breweries in the Netherlands. Interbrew, the owner of the brewery decided in 2002 to close down the brewery in 2004.

Related Topics:
Candy - Sugar - Oranjeboom - Interbrew

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Sights

Breda has a city center with beautiful old buildings and singels (moats). The shops and a shopping mall are located here. The city is also home to a museum devoted to General Stanisław Maczek and the Polish 1st Armoured Division.

Related Topics:
Moat - Shop - Stanisław Maczek - Polish 1st Armoured Division

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Transportation

Breda has train stations Breda and Breda-Prinsenbeek, providing connections with Zuid-Holland (Dordrecht - Rotterdam - Den Haag) and Tilburg - Eindhoven/Den Bosch, and from station Breda also to Roosendaal with connection to Vlissingen.

Related Topics:
Train station - Zuid-Holland - Dordrecht - Rotterdam - Den Haag - Tilburg - Eindhoven - Den Bosch - Roosendaal - Vlissingen

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Miscellaneous

The Dutch Royal Military Academy, Koninklijke Militaire Academie, is located in Breda.

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Breda's most popular football club, NAC Breda, plays in the highest Dutch league, the Eredivisie.

Related Topics:
Football club - NAC Breda - Eredivisie

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Breda's athletics club, A.V. Sprint, is the largest club of its kind in the Netherlands.

Related Topics:
Athletics club - A.V. Sprint

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Colonel Tom Parker, the manager of Elvis Presley, was born in Breda as Andreas Cornelius van Kuijk.

Related Topics:
Colonel Tom Parker - Elvis Presley

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