During the Eighty Years War a Frenchman fighting for the Dutch, Charles de Bréauté, insulted the commander of the Spanish garrison at ‘s-Hertogenbosch (Bois-le-Duc), Anthonie Schets van Grobbendonck. The two decided to settle the matter with an equivalent of single combat but involving twenty a side, which took place on 5 February 1600 on a heath near Vugterheide. Grobbendonck annoyed de Bréauté by sending a deputy in his stead, one Gerard Abrahams van Houwelingen (known as ‘Lekkerbeetje’ which translates as ‘tasty morsel’ perhaps indicating that he was something of a snacker). Both Lekkerbeetje and de Bréauté were killed, but the Spanish were deemed to have won.

This throw-back to the age of chivalry was frequently painted; this example was attributed to Vrancx in the time of Charles I but is more likely to be by his imitator, Jacques van der Wyhen (c. 1588-after 1658).

The painting appears in Pyne's illustrated 'Royal Residences' of 1819, hanging in The Queen's Closet at Kensington Palace (RCIN 922154).