Kenau Simonsdochter Hasselaer was born in 1526. Her father was Mayor of Haarlem. When the city was besieged by the Spanish she allegedly led 300 women in defence of the city. After the city was captured she fled to return years later. She died at the hands of pirates in 1588.

Her name lives on in colloquial Dutch. Today kenau is the Dutch word for 'a bossy woman who is thoroughly disliked'.

See also: Siege of Haarlem