Nicolaes Petter

Nicolaes Petter was a Wine Merchant and a well known and undefeatable Wrestler in Amsterdam during the 17th century. In 1674 his knowledge about wrestling and self defence was published in a book with 71 etchings by the famous artist and illustrator Romeyn de Hooghe. According to martial artists and historians, it is one of the most important martial arts books ever published. Copies of his book are highly valued items in the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and in many other collections of museums and universities all over the world. The name of the book is ‘Klare onderrichtinge der voortreffelijke worstel-konst’ (‘Clear tuition in the excellent art of wrestling’). Petter had a great love for everything Greek, like sports, mythology, science and wisdom. He shared this with all merchant-gentlemen in Amsterdam at the time. After a decade of working in a wine and beer garden with a dancing room (lusthof met mighel kit/danskamer) he started his wine business at the Prinsengracht at a house he named Gustaafsburgh.
His students were mostly merchants and other gentry like people from the government, the city regents and from royal background. He also had commoners as students.
A biography and training manual is expected to be published in 2012.

Source of information:
http://www.jeromeblanes.blogspot.com
http://www.nicolaespetter.blogspot.com