During the Eighty Years' War, the city of Ostend had a rough time of it. It was a Protestant city surrounded by Catholic territory and the armies of Charles V (Holy Roman Emperor, King of Spain, yada, yada). The other Dutch cities could not provide support due to their own wartime struggles. The obvious answer was to write to the Dutch immigrant community in England for food and soldiers. It didn't take too long for two hundred men to show up. The food was another story. Their English supporters sent a ship full of grain and English beer. Unfortunately, the ship was intercepted by pirates supported by their enemies. Major disappointment.