Siege of Recife | |||||||
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Part of the Dutch invasions of Brazil | |||||||
Dutch siege of Olinda and Recife | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Dutch Republic | Portugal | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Hendrick Lonck[1] | Matias de Albuquerque[1] | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
7,000 Troops 67 Ships | |||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
Unknown | Unknown |
The Siege of Recife was a battle between Dutch and Portuguese forces near modern-day Recife, Brazil in 1630.
In the summer of 1629, the Dutch coveted a newfound interest in obtaining the captaincy of Pernambuco, the largest and richest sugar-producing area in the world.[2][3] The Dutch fleet of 65 ships was led by Hendrick Corneliszoon Loncq; the Dutch West India Company gained control of Olinda by 16 February 1630, and Recife (the capital of Pernambuco) and the island of António Vaz (opposite Recife) by 3 March.[3]
This began a war over Brazil, which would see the Dutch establish a colony called New Holland and end with the Portuguese regaining their captured possessions.