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Lot Essay
Michiel Adriaenszoon de Ruyter (1607-1676) can be regarded as Hollands greatest naval hero. Born in Vlissingen of humble stock he took to the seas at the age of eleven. Making a swift carreer he held the rank of first officer by age 24, and took his first command at the age of 30.
He made his reputation as an outstanding admiral during the three Anglo-Dutch wars fought between 1652 and 1674. Amongst the most memorable of his battles was the battle of Solebay in 1667, when a combined British-French fleet was defeated by superior tactics and manoeuvering skills. Earlier in that same year de Ruyter had gained fame for the daring and succesful Medway Raid. The most important battle of his career was the Battle of kijkduin, 21 august 1673. This battle against a numerically stronger combined British/French fleet was concluded in favour of the Dutch. Much of the succes of this all important battle for the Republic falls to de Ruyter. As a fleet commander he had maintained great discilpline, unity and high morale. This meant that, even with smaller numbers he was able to have a superior force at his command.
The Dutch east India Company, was in many ways indebted to de Ruyter whose successes in the Anglo-Dutch wars secured a lasting peace with England, and Dutch superiority on the seas. Both of these were important conditions for the continuing succes of the V.O.C. The five Admiralities in their turn needed the wealth that the V.O.C. continually brought to Holland, to maintain their strength at sea.
He made his reputation as an outstanding admiral during the three Anglo-Dutch wars fought between 1652 and 1674. Amongst the most memorable of his battles was the battle of Solebay in 1667, when a combined British-French fleet was defeated by superior tactics and manoeuvering skills. Earlier in that same year de Ruyter had gained fame for the daring and succesful Medway Raid. The most important battle of his career was the Battle of kijkduin, 21 august 1673. This battle against a numerically stronger combined British/French fleet was concluded in favour of the Dutch. Much of the succes of this all important battle for the Republic falls to de Ruyter. As a fleet commander he had maintained great discilpline, unity and high morale. This meant that, even with smaller numbers he was able to have a superior force at his command.
The Dutch east India Company, was in many ways indebted to de Ruyter whose successes in the Anglo-Dutch wars secured a lasting peace with England, and Dutch superiority on the seas. Both of these were important conditions for the continuing succes of the V.O.C. The five Admiralities in their turn needed the wealth that the V.O.C. continually brought to Holland, to maintain their strength at sea.