Scimitar swords and crescent moons decorate this shield-of-arms on the memorial in the Oude Kerk (Old Church) in Amsterdam, Netherlands, to Vice-Admiral Gilles Schey (1644-1703), who fought the English and French and turned down an offer to work for the Russian Tsar, Peter the Great.
Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands: unsheathed scimitar swords and crescent moons are among heraldic symbols on this painted shield-of-arms commemorating one of the Dutch Republic’s leading naval officers, Vice-Admiral Gilles Schey (1644-1703). Schey was a prominent commander in the Anglo-Dutch Wars of the 17th century, but is perhaps best known for turning down an offer to work for the Russian Tsar, Peter the Great. The shield is on the memorial to Schey in the south aisle choir of Amsterdam’s Oude Kerk (Old Church) in Ouderkerkspein, and is one of several monuments there to the Dutch Republic’s naval heroes. The mainly-14th century church, now a museum, is the oldest building in the city. Gilles Schey was born in Arnhem and served as a midshipman in his early twenties. He commanded marines before fighting in the 1665 Battle of Lowestoft against the English and he also saw action against Barbary pirates. He served in the Admiralty of Amsterdam in 1669, captained a ship during the Third Anglo-Dutch War, then joined the squadron of Admiral Cornelis Tromp against the French. He commanded ships in battles off the coast of Sicily and in 1683, became a rear-admiral. In 1688, Schey commanded a vessel in the fleet that brought William of Orange to Britain and in 1690, fought off Beachy Head in the French victory over an Anglo-Dutch fleet. Two years later, after becoming a vice-admiral, he commanded in the Anglo-Dutch fleet that defeated the French at La Hougue. In 1697, Schey organised a mock naval battle off the Amsterdam waterfront for the visiting Russian ruler, Peter the Great. The Tsar was so impressed that he invited Schey to come to Russia to work for the Russian Navy - but Schey politely declined the offer.
Size: 2011px × 3015px
Location: Oude Kerk, Ouderkerksplein, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Photo credit: © Terence Kerr / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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