Battle of Slaak

Reverse

Inscription of fifteen lines describing the Dutch success: 76 Spanish ships were taken along with 4140 soldiers and sailors, with only the Spanish commander, John of Nassau managing to escape with 10 companions. Crowned Zeeland arms at bottom.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
D.O.M.
Hisp. classem ausp.
Ord. Belgij, Ductu Fr. Hen.
Pr. Aur. suh legato suo in Zeel.
Hollario dissipavit intra Vianen
& Stavenisse, export nebulâ circum
furam, vadifque alliram, in manus
fuorum omnes dedit, aut perdidit,
solo Praefecto Com. Ioh. de Nassau
Socijsque. x. exceptis, LXXVI navi
bus. & (I)(I)(I)(I)CXL militibus
captis, perque castra Principis
Bergam ad Zomam gregatim
deductis. XIII September
Anno 1631.

Engraver: Jan van Loof

Comment

This was not only a devastating victory for the Dutch, it marked a distinct improvement in the treatment of prisoners. It seems that normally, sailors captured in naval engagements were commonly dumped into the sea to drown: this is certainly what the Amsterdam admiralty wanted to do with the prisoners. However, Frederik Hendrik forbade it, and was considered a notable humanitarian for doing so. Perhaps one reason for doing so was that the Spanish commander was a cousin!