English: The sacking and looting of Mechelen by the Spanish troops led by the Duke of Alba, 2 October 1572 Spanish soldiers are depicted wearing characteristic steel murion helmets and breeches with stockings and ribbons, wielding axes and carrying off the possessions of the residents of the city in carts or by hand. In the center foreground a woman stands weeping with her children who reach out to her helpessly while to the viewer's right a Spanish tercio stands holding an ewer he has recently stolen. In the background the ordered Spanish troops march over the city's main bridge waving their flags and holding long pikes, all armed with swords. Citizens are shown with their hands empty, arms outstretched and running away.