Willem van Ruytenburch, Lord of Vlaardingen and Vlaardingen-Ambacht was a member of the Dutch gentry. His father was a spice merchant who came into wealth. He purchased a large house in Amsterdam that he named "Ruytenburch", which he also took as a family name. In 1611, he purchased the manor of Buitenweide which granted him the lordship of Vlaardingen and Vlaardingen-Ambacht. Willem succeeded to his father's estates and titles in 1627. He attempted to pass himself off as a descendant of nobility, persuading an elderly woman to perjure herself that he had noble ancestors in Budel. Willem became an alderman of Amsterdam and joined the Schutterij of Frans Banninck Cocq. Willem was featured, as a lieutenant, in Rembrandt's 1642 painting The Night Watch for which he is now probably most famous. Willem failed to achieve the status he desired in Amsterdam and later retired to his estate at Vlaardingen.