Briel

Briel, or BRIELLE, sometimes THE BRILL, a fortified seaport town of South Holland, situated on the north side of the island of Voorne, near the mouth of the Maas. It contains a government arsenal and military magazines, and possesses a good harbour. The tower of St Peter's Church serves as a lighthouse. Pop. 4286, most of the men engaged as pilots and fishermen. Briel may be considered as the nucleus of the Dutch republic, having been taken from the Spaniards by William de la Mare in 1572. This event was the first act of open hostility to Philip II., and paved the way to the complete liberation of the country from a foreign yoke. The celebrated admirals De Witt and Van Tromp were natives.