Brill

(Local Name: Brielle / Den Briel) Population: 15,000

Brielle (or Den Briel; traditionally called Brill in English), is the chief place on the island of Voorne, which lies to the south of the Europoort. In the 16th century it was an important stronghold on the estuary of the Maas. On April 1, 1572 the Sea Beggars, having been expelled from England, captured the town and thus sparked off the northern provinces' fight for independence.