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L e i d e n-info Siege and relief; Hotch-Potch, and Herring with White Bread, the world famous 3 October Festival Leiden reached rock bottom when the Spaniards laid siege to Leiden in 1573 and 1574. In 1573 the inhabitants had been prepared for the siege, and large supplies of food had been stored within te city walls. Leiden withstood the siege without the slightest problem, and when, in March 1574 the Spaniards suddenly withdrew, Leiden celibrated in the belief that the danger had subsided. To their alarm, the Spaniards returned in May. The siege had only been lifted temporarily, because the troops had to fight elsewhere. Again the city lay under siege, and this time the Spaniards had the city in a deadly grip. The supplies that had kept Leiden going during the first siege, had not yet been replenished, and soon food shortages occurred. The population of Leiden was starved out by their Spanish besiegers. The States of Holland, the national government of that time, tried to relieve Leiden by cutting the dikes of the IJsel, and so flood the country. This, however, did not immediately give the desired effect because of low water levels, and the wind blowing from the wrong direction. The situation in Leiden worsened by the day, and more and more people died. It took two more months before rains and storms made the waters accumulate in the area around Leiden. That water allowed the "Geuzen" protestants fighting the Spanish king, Philip 2, to reach Leiden and threaten the Spaniards. In the night of 2-3 October, the Spanish besiegers withdrew, threatened both by the water and by the Geuzen, Leiden had been relieved. The population had suffered great hardships. During the siege one third of the population had died, and the rest was dangerously close to starvation. Fortunately, the Geuzen had brought White Bread and Herring, and in the deserted Spanish positions, an enormous kettle with Hotch-Potch was found. Thus a tradition was born. Ever since that day, 3 October 1574, Leiden celebrates it relief with Hotch-Potch and Herring with White Bread. This celebration has developped into a huge popular festival, with a fair, parades and markets, which are visited by hundreds of thousands people. Even in Australia people celebrate the relief of Leiden on 3 October.