A Guide to the Exhibition of English Medals — John Shaqi
A Guide to the Exhibition of English MedalsBritish Museum. Department of Coins and Medals
History
A Guide to the Exhibition of English Medals
British Museum. Department of Coins and Medals
Medals -- Great Britain
Thomas Cromwell, born 1490, was secretary to Wolsey, and afterwards
promoted by Henry VIII. to the highest offices of the State; created
Earl of Essex April 1540 and beheaded in July of same year.
11. Michael Mercator, 1539. _Obv._ Bust, three quarters l.,
wearing cap, fur cloak, &c. A REGE ANGLORVM PRIMI MILITIS
CREATI EX VENLO EFFIGIES. _Rev._ MICHAEL MERCATOR ÆTATIS SVÆ
XLVIII. GRATIA DEO ET REGI. MDXXXIX.; _Engraved._ Silver. Size
1·8. Cast and chased.
In 1528 Michael Mercator, or, as Sir Thomas More in writing to Wolsey
calls him, Michael the Gueldrois, was sent to Henry VIII. by Mons. de
Ysselstein, on a confidential mission respecting the affairs of the
Low Countries. Again in 1538 in two letters of Floris d'Egmont, Count
of Buren and Lord of Ysselstein, one to Henry VIII. and the other
to Cromwell, we find him requesting the kind reception of Michael
Mercator. These letters also refer to Mercator's artistic skill, and we
learn from Puteanus or Du Puy that he excelled in medallic portraits,
and that this medal, which is of contemporary workmanship, was executed
by himself. It was on this second visit to England that he received the
order of Knighthood from the King.
12. Another. Similar: bust in profile l., and reverse
inscription in relief. Lead. Size 1·8. Cast.
EDWARD VI. 1547—1553.
13. Portrait, 1547. _Obv._ Half-length figure of King l.,
wearing cap with feather, doublet, chain, &c.; in r. hand,
scroll. EDVARDVS V. (sic) DEI GRA. AN. REX; _incuse_. No
reverse. Lead. Size 2·9. Cast and chased.
A contemporary cast in lead, possibly a proof from a silver plate. This
medal is unique, and was obtained by exchange from the Museum at Geneva.
14. Coronation, 1547. _Obv._ Half-length figure of King r.,
crowned, in armour, holding sword and orb. Inscription in Latin
in three circles giving his titles, date of coronation MDXLVII.
XX. FEBRVA. &c. _Rev._ Two inscriptions, one in Hebrew, the
other in Greek of the same import as that on obverse; above,
_Lambhith_, i.e. Lambeth. Gold. Size 2·35. Cast and chased.
The first coronation medal executed in England. The inscriptions are
similar to those on the medals of Henry VIII., struck to commemorate
his supremacy over the church. (Nos. 4-5.)
MARY. 1553—1558.
(Medals by Giacomo da Trezzo.[2])
[2] Giacomo da Trezzo, sculptor, engraver and medallist, born at
Milan at the beginning of the sixteenth century, first worked in the
execution of medals for the Gonzaga family. He afterwards entered the
service of Phillip II. of Spain, went to Madrid and was engaged in the
decoration of the Escurial. He died at Madrid in 1589.
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