Agneta de Graeff van Polsbroek


Agneta de Graeff van Polsbroek, was a patrician woman from the Dutch Golden Age. She became known as the mother-in-law of Johan de Witt.

Biography

Agneta was a scion of the De Graeff family and born as the oldest daughter of Jacob Dircksz de Graeff and Aeltje Boelens Loen, herself daughter of the politician Cornelis Andriesz Boelens Loen, great-grandson of Andries Boelens, a famous regent of Amsterdam. In 1625 she was married to later Amsterdam burgomaster Jan Bicker. The couple had five daughters:
The couple lived at their country houses De Eult at Baarn, Akerendam and Duynwijck in Beverwijk. Between the city of Amsterdam they owned a cityhause at Herengracht and an island, called Bickerseiland. In 1663/64 Agneta was painted by Wallerant Vaillant. Her tomb chapel is located at the Westerkerk.

Coat of arms

Agneta de Graeff van Polsbroek's coat of arms was quartered and showed the following symbols:
  • field 1 the silver shovel on a red background of their paternal ancestors, the Herren von Graben
  • field 2 it shows a silver falcon on a blue background. The origin of the falcon lies in the possession of the Valckeveen estate in Gooiland
  • field 3, same as field 2
  • field 4, same as field 1
  • helmet covers in red and silver
  • helm adornment shows an upright silver spade with ostrich feathers
  • motto: MORS SCEPTRA LIGONIBUS AEQUAT

Literature

  • Graeff, P. de Genealogie van de familie De Graeff van Polsbroek, Amsterdam 1882.
  • Bruijn, J. H. de Genealogie van het geslacht De Graeff van Polsbroek 1529/1827, met bijlagen. De Built 1962-63.
  • Fölting, H.P., 'De landsadvocaten en raadpensionarissen der Staten van Holland en West-Friesland 1480–1795. Een genealogische benadering. Deel III' in: Jaarboek Centraal Bureau Voor Genealogie. Deel 29 p. 210-269,