Sentence of Death of Jacob Claess of Lantsmeer

Whereas Jacob Claess of Lantsmeer has joined the doctrine, sect and heresies of the Anabaptists, having been rebaptized, and holds harmful views concerning the sacraments of the holy church, contrary to the holy Christian faith, the ordinances of the holy Christian church, and the written laws and decrees of his Imperial Majesty our gracious lord; and, moreover, stubbornly persists in his errors and heresy, in spite of the instruction which has been given him concerning the true faith; therefore my lords the judges, having heard the demand made by my lord the bailiff, in the name of his Imperial Majesty, concerning the said Jacob Claess, together with his confession, and having considered the circumstances of the said case, sentence the said Jacob Claess, in accordance with the decrees named above, to be burned by the executioner, and furthermore declare his property confiscated for the benefit of his Imperial Majesty, as Count of Holland. So pronounced, and carried out by the executioner, on the 9th of November, in the year 1549, in the presence of the bailiff, Sir Hendrick Dirks; the burgomaster, Jan Willems; Claes Meeuwess, Simon, Claess Kops, Florus Marts, Jan Claess van oppen, and Hendrick Jans Croock, Judges.

Jacob Claess was put to the torture on the 22nd of October, in the year 1549.

Taken from the book of criminal sentences, in the keeping of the secretary of the city of Amsterdam.

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