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Coat of arms of Michiel de Ruyter Polychromed wood, 38.5 x 55 cm, anonymous, in or after 1676 Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam |
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| Created between 1676 and 1683, the De Ruyter family coat of arms reflects the admiral’s rise from humble origins. Born a commoner, Michiel de Ruyter had no hereditary arms, but his achievements earned him noble recognition. In 1660, the king of Denmark granted him a title in appreciation of his victories against the Swedes, along with a newly designed coat of arms. Its four quarters featured symbols linked to his life and career: the Danish flag, a ship at sea, a gun, and a horseman—a reference to his surname. Later, in 1678, the Spanish king conferred a baronetcy on De Ruyter’s son, Engel, incorporating a heart-shaped shield with a lion into the family arms. | ||||||||||
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