 France declared war on 6 April, followed by England on 7 April.The speed with which the Republic was over-run in 1672 means it is still referred to as the "Rampjaar" or 'Year of disaster'.On 7 May, a French army of around 80,000 entered Liège; accompanied by Louis, they bypassed the Dutch stronghold of Maastricht, crossed the Meuse and besieged the Dutch-held Rhine fortress towns of Rheinberg, Orsoy, Buderich and Wesel.