Arms of Diederik Sonoy (or Snoey).

Engraving, 16 x 12 cm, laid paper, dated 1600 (edges frayed).

Good impression and condition. Extremely rare.

Coat of arms of Diederik Sonoy (1529-1597), leader of the Geuzen during the Eighty Years' War. Troops under his command put both Egmond Castle and Egmond Abbey on fire in 1573. The destruction of these strategic locations prevented the occupation by the Spanish army. He was Governor of Enkhuizen (1572) and of the "Noorderkwartier" (1572-1588). The arms (3 medlar flowers) correspond with those on his memorial epitaph in Pieterburen. At left and right 8 arms of related families, i.a. Draeckenburcht, Darthuise, Amstel, Ravensvelt, Guevara.