List of Dutch naval heroes

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This is a TOP-40 List of Dutch naval heroes from the 17th century.

During the entire 17th century the strength of the Dutch Navy made the United Provinces a major maritime power. Many battles were fought with the Spanish, Portuguese, British, Swedish and French, generating a large number of naval heroes, especially as the presence of no less than five Dutch admiralties ensured many flag officers took part. Hero worship was exuberant in the trade-dependent Dutch Republic, the victor being honoured in all possible ways. At the time it was relatively easy for a man of humble origins to attain even the highest commands, so it the populace readily identified with popular admirals, not unlike the sportstars of our day.

Marine-historian Prud'homme van Reine made a "top-40" of Dutch sea heroes of that period. He based himself on the number of portraits published per hero. In case of an ex aequo, the size of the sepulcher was decisive.

[edit] TOP 40 (and number of portraits)

  1. Michiel Adriaanszoon de Ruyter - 45
  2. Maarten Harpertszoon Tromp - 44
  3. Cornelis Tromp - 31
  4. Piet Pieterszoon Hein - 21
  5. Witte Corneliszoon de With - 21
  6. Jacob van Wassenaer Obdam - 18
  7. Jan van Galen - 17
  8. Johan Evertsen de Oude - 16
  9. Jacob van Heemskerk - 10
  10. Pieter Florisse - 9
  11. Aert Jansse van Nes - 9
  12. Adriaen Banckert - 8
  13. Cornelis Evertsen de Oude - 7
  14. Willem Joseph van Ghent - 6
  15. Egbert Bartholomeusz Kortenaer - 6
  16. Abraham van der Hulst - 6
  17. Hendrick Lonck - 6
  18. Tjerk Hiddes de Vries - 5
  19. Isaac Sweers - 4
  20. Gerard Callenburgh - 4
  21. Gilles Schey - 4
  22. Auke Stellingwerf - 4
  23. Jan Meppel - 4
  24. Cornelis Jansz de Haen - 3
  25. Cornelis Evertsen de Jongste - 3
  26. David Vlugh - 3
  27. Joost van Trappen Banckert - 3
  28. Philips van Dorp - 3
  29. Cornelis Evertsen de Jonge - 2
  30. Geleyn Evertsen - 2
  31. Joos de Moor - 2
  32. Philips van Almonde - 1
  33. Willem van der Zaan - 1
  34. Jan van Brakel - 1
  35. Johan de Liefde - 1
  36. Willem Bastiaensz Schepers - 1
  37. Volckert Schram - 1
  38. Engel de Ruyter - 1
  39. Jan Jansse van Nes - 1
  40. Govert 't Hoen - 1
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