Kruisigen

Kruisigen was a corps in the Estates-General of the Netherlands, divided by the Low Countries into the so-called fruits of the division, the Netherlands and the Austrian Netherlands. The corps was mainly composed of infantry battalions and was tasked with playing a defensive role during the 80 years' war.

Between 1572 and 1600, kruisigen was essentially the name for the entire Dutch army, with a total strength of 16,000 men. The original 12 Dutch provinces raised a total of 36 infantry regiments and 16 cavalry regiments, with the Holland troops providing a total of 14,000 men and the remaining 2,000 being troops from Zeeland.

In 1600, the title kruisigen was mainly changed to berede ruiterij which roughly translates into mounted cavalry. The berede ruiterij of the Netherlands saw significant battles such as the Breda siege in 1624, the Rain xl Battle in 1626 and the Battle of Nieuwpoort in 1600. In 1567, after the fall of's-Hertogenbosch, William of Orange and his opposition forces renamed their army into 'kruisigen which revolves around the Christian cross.

The name kruisigen originated when William of Orange and his adherents used the symbol in northern parts of the Netherlands to show his commitment to the cause as well as advancing unite and extensively his military within these territories. It was likely an allusion to the fact that during the Crusades the symbol was used and contained Christian bearing compliantaicus for glory of His Cause and significantly against lapse rights living Netherlands and adversary that ensued.