Nomos 5

LOW COUNTRIES, United Netherlands. Frederick Henry of Orange-Nassau. 1584-1647. Medal (Silver, 51mm, 19.53 g 12), on the Battle of the Slaak, 1631. FREDER.HENR.D.G.PRINCEPS.AVRIAC.COM.NASS Armored bust of Frederick Henry to right. Rev. 1631 / CONIVRATI VENIVNT / AD CLASSICA / VENIT (=the winds obey the call of the fleet) Scene of the battle with the Dutch fleet advancing on the Spanish forces to left. Van Loon II, p. 195, II. A fine old cast with considerable detail; the reverse inscription engraved, as usual. Some minor casting faults, otherwise, good very fine.

From the Hall collection.

This battle was a major Dutch victory and occurred when a Spanish invasion force, under the Marquis of Aytona and Jan van Nassau Siegen, was caught by the Dutch fleet under Marinus Hollare in the Slaak channel. In the end the Spanish lost the vast majority of their ships, and suffered a considerable number of casualties, including over 4000 prisoners. Frederick Henry was the supreme Dutch commander and, in a notable action, forbade the drowning of all the Spanish prisoners, which had hitherto been the normal practice when enemies were captured in sea battles.