Wapenrand van een kaart van de Alblasserwaard en de Vijfheerenlanden (deel) 1716

This is an engraving of the coat of arms, by an anonymous artist, which likely would have formed part of a larger map of the Alblasserwaard and Vijfheerenlanden. Heraldry, in its time, functioned as an explicit marker of identity and status in a society deeply structured by hierarchy. Look closely and you'll notice each crest features distinct symbols, animals, and mottos, each of which tells a story. The coat of arms on the left for example, belonging to Jop de Jager, features leaping dogs, and the one on the right for Boudewyn Onderwater features swans. These weren't simply decorative; they were visual declarations of lineage, achievements, and affiliations. As such, these emblems offer a glimpse into the lives and values of the elite. In contrast, the absence of such symbols for the vast majority underscores the rigid social stratification of the time, and begs the question, whose stories are not told? The image is a potent reminder that identity isn’t just personal, it’s also profoundly political.