Lenaert Jansz de Graeff

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Lenaert Jansz de Graeff , also Lena (e) rt Jansz Graeff and Leendert de Graeff (* 1525/30 in Amsterdam ; † before 1578 in exile ), from the patrician family De Graeff , was a wealthy trader, member and "supporter" of Amsterdam Reformed , military, and a friend of the "Great Geusen" Heinrich von Brederode . According to a family tradition, Lenaert Jansz de Graeff is identical to "Monseigneur de Graeff". He was involved in the conquest of Brielle in 1572 as captain of the Wassergeusen . The fact that Lenaert Jansz de Graeff and the captain "Monseigneur de Graeff" are identical is historically considered to be an uncertain statement.

life and work

family

De Graeff was born as one of four sons of the Amsterdam councilor and merchant Jan Pietersz Graeff († 1553) and his wife Stein Braseman in their father's townhouse De Keyser on Damrak (named after the "Keizerskroon" attached outside the building). De Graeff was married twice; first with Griet Jansdr Duivens and then with Griet Hendriksdr Rooclaas, from which marriage two daughters and a son were born:

  • Steyntje Leonardsdr de Graeff (Stijn Leenaertsdr Graeff) b. 1550, married to Ellert Hendricksz Rooclaes (Roclaas) (d. 03. 1610)
  • Pieter Leonardsz de Graeff (Pieter Leenaertsz Graeff) b. 1551, married (wife unknown)
  • Jannetje Leonardsdr de Graeff (Jannetge Leenaertsdr Graeff), married to Hillebrand Jorisz (September 5, 1559 - May 27, 1632)

In the public

The Dutch lexicon " Digitale bibliotheek voor de Nederlandse letteren " reports that Lenaert and his two brothers Diederik Jansz Graeff and Jakob were among the "most respected and richest citizens of Amsterdam". Lenaert ran a flourishing iron trade together with Dirk Jansz in Graeff's house De Keyser , and was named [in 1578?] As the fourth richest inhabitant of the city. He also owned a house on the Nieuwendijk , which he lived in between 1553 and 1557.

The brothers Lenaert and Diederik also filed a complaint in 1564 to the governess Margarethe von Parma about the abuse of justice and the Spanish interference in the city government.

In 1567 De Graeff was, together with Adriaen Pauw and Cornelis Boelens, one of the opponents of the planned invasion of Charles I of Brimeu - Count von Megen - into the city of Amsterdam. A treaty between the Spanish-minded party of the aldermen and the state-minded party was signed on February 25, 1567 in De Graeff's house, De Keyser . With their help, Count Heinrich von Brederode was appointed captain general of the city in March of the same year . Lenaert Jansz became Brederode's adjutant / assistant; As a captain, he was at the head of the newly founded, 300-strong citizen guard . But after a short time Count Brederode was expelled from the city by the Spanish general Philipp von Noircarmes . A large Spanish garrison was established in Amsterdam and De Graeff was removed from his post. After the entry of the Duke of Alba in August 1567, De Graeff was one of many opponents of Spanish rule who left the city. In December, De Graeff was summoned to the Beroerte Council Committee along with many other opponents of the regime , where all of his belongings were to be confiscated. Apparently he was able to get his belongings safe and leave Amsterdam.

The conquest of Brielle by the Wassergeusen fleet - engraving by Frans Hogenberg

Lenaert Jansz de Graeff emigrated to Bruges and traveled with other emigrants to England to equip some warships there, which later united under his command with the Geusen fleet of Wilhelm II von der Mark . In 1569 his Amsterdam town house on the Nieuwendijk was confiscated in the name of the Spanish king. Lenaert Jansz de Graeff is perhaps identical with “Monseigneur de Graeff van Brugge”, a captain of the water geusen . This "Monseigneur de Graeff" described in the Dutch lexicon "Digitale bibliotheek voor de Nederlandse letteren", whose first name is unknown, plundered various Spanish ships under the Sint Martinseiland in 1571 . The ships with their crew and cargo were towed into the port of Dover and released after paying a ransom. In 1572 the ships previously equipped by De Graeff in England took part under his command / "Monseigneur de Graeff" in the successful conquest of Brielle for the Wassergeusen .

No scientifically reliable data are known about de Graeff's subsequent life. Lenaert Jansz de Graeff died in exile before 1578.

literature

  • P. De Graeff (P. de Graeff Gerritsz and Dirk de Graeff van Polsbroek ): Genealogy of the family De Graeff van Polsbroek . Amsterdam 1882.
  • JH De Bruijn: Genealogy van het geslacht De Graeff van Polsbroek 1529/1827 .

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l Lenaert Jansz de Graeff in the "DBNL"
  2. ↑ a b Jacob van Lennep: Geschiedenis the uithangteekens in de zestiende eeuw. p. 52
  3. ↑ De zegepraal der great Amsterdam. p. 225
  4. ↑ a b c d e De Graeff ( Monseigneur de Graeff van Brugge ) in the "DBNL"
  5. ↑ Google Book Search: Jaarboek van het Genootschap Amstelodamum, Volume 79; P. 48
  6. ^ Genealogy de Graeff
  7. ^ Google book search: De vroedschap van Amsterdam, 1578-1795; P. 38
  8. ↑ Google Book Search: Heraldieke library, Volume 2; P. 200
  9. ↑ Google Book Search: Dietsche Warande, Volume 7; P. 546
  10. ↑ Google book search: Jaarboek van het Genootschap Amstelodamum, Volume 73; P. 30
personal data
SURNAME Graeff, Lenaert Jansz de
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Dutch trader and guide of the water geusen
DATE OF BIRTH 16th Century
PLACE OF BIRTH Amsterdam
DATE OF DEATH before 1578