Willem of Orange chose Delft as his headquarters during the Revolt

For several strategic reasons, especially its inland location, Willem chose Delft as his headquarters to manage the Republic's forces against Spain.

As a result, the city's bulwarks, walls, and gates were strengthened, making Delft's the most developed defenses in the Republic. Its munitions were stored there, too; the storehouse exploded in 1654, the Delft Thunderclap.