BREDA, Holland, town in the province of North Brabant, 24 miles southwest of Bois-le due, on the Merk. Being a strong frontier fort ress, it was formerly of the greatest importance to Holland, as the chief point of the line of fortresses in front of the Meuse. The fortifica tions consisted of 15 bastions, as many ravelins, and five horn-works, besides the citadel. These being removed, the chief strength of the place now lies in its marshy environs, which may easily be laid under water. Breda received city rights in 1534; and since that time has often been a subject of contention between the Dutch, Spaniards and French. It was delivered by treachery into the hands of the Duke of Parma in 1581, but was retaken by Maurice of Orange in 1590. The latter capture was accomplished by means of a boat loaded with turf, in which 70 Dutch soldiers were concealed. Spinola took Breda in 1625, after a siege of 10 months, but it was retaken by the Dutch under Frederick Henry of Orange, in 1637. During the French
Revolutionary War Dumouriez made himself master of the city and fortress in February 1793, and would thereby have prepared the way for the conquest of Holland had he not been forced, by the loss of a battle at Neerwinden, to evacuate the city and fortress, 4 April. In September 1794 Breda was attacked by the army of Pichegru, but did not surrender till all Hol land was conquered, in the winter of 1795. On the approach of the Russian vanguard, under General Benkendorf, in December 1813, the French garrison made a sally, and the patriotic citizens, profiting by the occasion, rose en masse, shut the gates and prevented the French from returning into the town. A peace was con cluded at Breda between England and Holland in 1667. Breda has manufactories of carpets, cloth, cigars, and its good harbor has greatly aided its trade development. Pop. about 28,000.