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
Like St. Denis, who after his martyrdom picked up his head and carried
it under his arm, Godfrey is represented walking after his murder,
because it was asserted by some of the accused party that they had seen
him walking about Primrose Hill after the stated time of his murder.
The "Protestant" Saint was thus equal to the "Papist."
238. Another. _Obv._ A Janus head; Jesuit's face with cap, and
Monk's with cowl. O WHY SO FICKLE. _Rev._ Cluster of seven
heads. BIRDS OF A FEATHER FLOCK TOGETHER. Silver. Size 1·4.
Struck. By G. Bower.
Great uncertainty exists in the identification of the heads on this
medal. Evelyn supposes the double head to represent Titus Oates and
Bedloe, and the cluster the heads of the supposed detectors of the
Plot. It is quite as probable that the heads may be those of Charles,
James and the five Cabal Ministers.
239. Duke of York wrecked, 1682. _Obv._ Bust of the Duke of
York r., wearing mantle. IACOBUS DUX EBORACENSIS ET ALBANENSIS.
G.B.F. _Rev._ Ship in distress off a rocky shore. IMPAVIDUM
FERIUNT. (Hor. Car. III. 3. 8.) Silver. Size 1·6. Struck. By G.
Bower.
When the Duke of York was returning from Scotland with several noblemen
and friends, the vessel struck on the Lemon and Oar Sandbank, off the
Norfolk coast, and the Duke and all his companions narrowly escaped
drowning.
240. Rye House Plot, 1683. _Obv._ King as Hercules warding off
with his hand Hydra with seven human heads; above, hand with
thunder; distant view of Windsor Castle. PERIBVNT FVLMINIS
ICTV. 1683. G.B.F. _Rev._ Shepherd seated on mound watching
flock, near which two wolves hanging on gibbet; London in the
distance; above, dove with olive-branch. DEVS NOBIS HÆC OTIA
FECIT. (Virg. Ecl. 1. 6.) Silver. Size 1·75. Struck. By G.
Bower.
Struck to commemorate the Rye House Plot. The Hydra represents the
committee of six, who associated themselves for the redress of
grievances, Monmouth, Lord W. Russell, Hampden, Algernon Sidney, the
Earl of Essex, and Lord Howard, the seventh is the devil. The two
wolves are Sidney and Russell.
241. Death of Charles II., 1685. _Obv._ Head of King r.,
wearing lion's skin. CAROLUS II. D. G. MAG. BRI. &c. _Rev._
Setting sun. OMNIA ORTA OCCIDUNT. (Sall. Jugur. II.) MDCLXXXV.
Silver. Size 1·9. Struck. Dutch.
Charles died on the 6 Feb., 1685, at the age of 55.
242. Duke and Duchess of York, 1680. _Obv._ Bust of Duke of
York r., in armour and cloak. IACOBVS DVX EBORACENSIS. G.B.F.
_Rev._ Bust of Duchess of York l., draped, &c. MARIA DVCISSA
EBORACENSIS. 1680. Silver. Size 2. Struck. By G. Bower.
James Duke of York mar. 21 Nov. 1673 Mary d'Este sister of the Duke of
Modena.
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