Lenaert Jansz de Graeff
Lenaert Jansz de Graeff, also Lena ( e) rt Jansz Graeff (* 1525/30 in Amsterdam, † before 1578 in exile ), the patrician family De Graeff entstammend, was a wealthy merchant, Member and a " supporter " of the Amsterdam Reformed, Military and a friend of the "Great Sea Beggars " Henry of Brederode. According to a family tradition is Lenaert Jansz de Graeff with " Monseigneur de Graeff " ident former was involved as captain of the Sea Beggars in the conquest of Brielle in 1572. That Lenaert Jansz de Graeff and the captain " Monseigneur de Graeff " are identical is true historically but as unsecured statement.
Life and work
De Graeff was selected as one of four sons of the Amsterdam alderman and businessman January Pietersz Graeff († 1553) and his wife Braseman stone in his father's town house De Keyser on the Damrak (named after the mounted outside the building " Keizerskroon " ) born. De Graeff was twice married; first with Griet Jansdr Duivens and afterwards with Griet Hendriksdr Rooclaas from which marriage two daughters and a son was born, namely Steyntje Leonardsdr de Graeff, Pieter de Graeff Leonardsz and Jannetje Leonardsdr de Graeff.
The Dutch lexicon " Digital bibliotheek voor de Nederlandse Letteren " reported that Lenaert and his two brothers Diederik Jansz. Graeff and Jacob were among the " most respected and wealthiest citizens of Amsterdam ." Lenaert ran together with Dirk Jansz a flourishing iron trade in Graeffschen House De Keyser, and [ in 1578 ?] Was to be the fourth richest inhabitants of the city. In addition, he was in possession of a house on Nieuwendijk which he lived between the years 1553 and 1557.
From the brothers Lenaert and Diederik fared well in 1564 an application to the Landvögtin Margaret of Parma at the abuse of jurisdiction and the Spanish intervention in the city government.
1567 was De Graeff together with Adriaen Pauw and Cornelis Boelens one of the opponents of the planned invasion of Charles I of Brimeu - Count of Megen - in the city of Amsterdam. A contract between the Spanish- minded party of aldermen and the state- minded party was completed on 25 February desselbigen year in De Graeff House De Keyser. Under their help in March of the same year, Count Heinrich von Brederode was appointed captain-general of the city. Lenaert Jansz was Brederode's aide / assistant, he was the main man at the helm of the newly formed 300 -strong Civil Guard. But after a short time Count Brederode was expelled by the Spanish commander Philip of Noircarmes out of town. In Amsterdam, a large Spanish garrison was established and De Graeff was deposed from his post. After the recovery, in the August 1567 entry of the Duke of Alba De Graeff was one of many opponents of the Spanish domination, which left the city. In December, De Graeff was ordered together with many other opponents of the regime before the Ratsauschuss of Beroerte and wrote his worldly possessions should be confiscated. Apparently, however, he could be belongings to safety, and leave Amsterdam.
Lenaert Jansz de Graeff emigrated to Bruges and traveled together with other emigrants to England to equip some warships later under his command with the Beggars fleet of Wilhelm II united by the cord. 1569 his townhouse, 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 Sea Beggars. This described in the Dutch lexicon " Digital bibliotheek voor de Nederlandse Letteren " " Monseigneur de Graeff ", whose first name is not known, ransacked several Spanish ships in 1571 under the Sint Martin island. The ships were laid off, including crew and cargo to the port of Dover towed, and after payment of a ransom back into the wild. 1572 took the previously equipped in England by De Graeff ships under him / " Monseigneur de Graeff " at successfully completing the conquest of Brielle Sea Beggars part.
Of his subsequent life no scientifically validated data are known. Lenaert Jansz de Graeff died before 1578 in exile.