Lewis of Nassau was at first more successful.

Entering Groningen at the head of eight or nine thousand undisciplined troops he was attacked, May 23, in a strong position behind a morass by a Spanish force under the Count of Aremberg, Stadholder of Friesland, at Heiligerlee.

He gained a complete victory.
Aremberg himself was slain, as was also the younger brother of Lewis, Adolphus of Nassau.

The triumph of the invaders was of short duration.
Alva himself took in hand the task of dealing with the rebels.

At the head of 15,000 troops he drove before him the levies of Nassau to Jemmingen on the estuary of the Ems, and here with the loss of only seven men he completely annihilated them.