The Battle of Heiligerlee was a pivotal conflict in the early stages of the Eighty Years' War, which witnessed the rebellion of the Low Countries against Spanish rule. Under the leadership of Louis of Nassau, the Dutch rebels confronted a well-equipped force loyal to King Philip II of Spain, commanded by Jean de Ligne, Duke of Arenberg. Located in Groningen in the northern part of the Netherlands, the battle took place on 23 May 1568, and symbolized the escalating tensions in a region rife with socio-political upheaval and religious discord.

Nassau, a younger brother of Count William of Orange, sought to unify the disparate factions of the Dutch revolt, capitalizing on growing discontent with Spanish governance and the harsh measures imposed by the Inquisition. His forces were primarily composed of local militias and supporters of the Protestant Reformation, fighting for political and religious autonomy. The rebels engaged Arenberg's troops in an early morning surprise attack, utilizing their knowledge of the terrain to outmaneuver the more experienced royalists.

Victory at Heiligerlee was not just a military triumph; it galvanized further support for the rebellion and instilled a sense of hope among Dutch citizens. It also marked a significant escalation in the conflict, leading the Spanish to intensify their military responses in the region. Despite the victory, the war would be a prolonged and tumultuous struggle lasting for decades, characterized by shifting alliances and brutal reprisals from both sides.