Nomos 12

NETHERLANDS, The Dutch Republic. Medal (Silver, 54.5mm, 38.07 g 12), on the Battle of the Slaak on 13 September 1631, won by the Dutch against a much larger Spanish fleet; by J. van Loof, 1631. Map showing an aerial view of the landscape and waters where the Battle of the Slaak took place; at the bottom, Bergen op Zoom; all sites are labeled and the scroll at the bottom contains a lettered list of captions (A-F) and a list of the Dutch naval officers involved. Rev. Inscription of fifteen lines describing the Dutch success: 76 Spanish ships were taken along with 4140 soldiers and sailors, with only the Spanish commander, John of Nassau managing to escape with 10 companions. Sandwich AA10. Van Loon II, pp. 194-197, iv. A lovely, beautifully toned and detailed example. Good extremely fine.

Ex Gorny & Mosch 213, 7 March 2013, 4041.

This was not only a devastating victory for the Dutch, it marked a distinct improvement in the treatment of prisoners. It seems that normally, sailors captured in naval engagements were commonly dumped into the sea to drown: this is certainly what the Amsterdam admiralty wanted to do with the prisoners. However, Frederik Hendrik forbade it, and was considered a notable humanitarian for doing so. Perhaps one reason for doing so was that the Spanish commander was a cousin!