The Cannon ‘Fredelant’

attributed to Willem Tolhuys, 1533

This is the oldest known cannon inscribed with a Dutch text, which translates as: ‘Fredelant is my name’. On the barrel are the arms of the married couple Hendrik van Isendoorn à Blois and Sophia van Stommel. Hendrik owned Cannenburch Castle in Vaassen, where this little cannon stood until 1881. The decoration is in the style of the period (transition from Gothic to Renaissance), when the candlestick motifs would then have been considered very modern-looking.

  • Artwork typecannon
  • Object numberNG-NM-5441
  • Dimensionsdiameter 33 mm, weight 42.8 kg, length 105 cm, length 2.5 cm, length 107.5 cm x width 15.5 cm, diameter 3 cm
  • Physical characteristicsbrons