Armour, helmet and sword of Admiral Jacob van Heemskerck, anonymous, c. 1580 - c. 1607

Armour, helmet and sword of Admiral Jacob van Heemskerck, anonymous, c. 1580 - c. 1607

armor, h c.80cm × w c.40cm × d c.40cm More details

Jacob van Heemskerck commanded the Dutch ships that defeated a Spanish fleet near Gibraltar in 1607. The admiral lost his life in the fray. He was commemorated with a monument in the Oude Kerk in Amsterdam. In keeping with custom, his armour was hung above the tomb. The left cuisse (thigh defence) is missing: it was shattered by the cannonball that cost Van Heemskerck his life.

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