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
James fled from London 20 Dec. for France, but driven back by contrary
winds, and being seized by the inhabitants of Faversham, he returned to
London, but at the desire of William of Orange, he again left 2 Jan.,
and from the Medway sailed to France.
285. Another. _Obv._ Same. _Rev._ An oak and an orange tree,
the former broken; behind, sea with ships and rising sun. PRO
GLANDIBVS AVREA POMA; in ex., POST FUGAM REGIS DELATA REGNI
ADMINISTRATIO PRINCIPI AURIA. 3. JAN. 1689. S.N. Silver. Size
1·4. Struck. By J. Smeltzing.
The abdication of James is symbolized by the broken oak, and the
accession of William by the orange tree and rising sun.
286. Another. _Obv._ Head of Louis XIV. r. LVDOVICVS MAGNVS
REX. _Rev._ Belgic lion carrying flag with Christian monogram
and staff with cap of Liberty, driving before him James with
broken sword, and Father Petre bearing infant Prince holding
toy-windmill; in the distance, French ship. AVT REX AVT NIHIL;
in ex., REGIFVGIVM IAC. AD LVD. XIV. Lead. Size 1·5. Struck.
Dutch.
Father Petre was the King's confessor and chief adviser. The Prince is
represented with a windmill, because those who disputed his legitimacy
said he was the son of a miller.
287. Another. _Obv._ Bust of King l., laur. and draped.
IACOBUS II. D. G. BRITANNIARUM IMPERATOR. _Rev._ Vixen with
torch firing tree, in which eagle and eaglet in nest; in
the distance, eagle carrying off fox's cub. 4. IAN. 1689.
S.N. MAGNIS INTERDUM PARVA NOCENT. REGNO ABDICATO IN GALLIAM
APPULIT. Silver. Size 2·35. Struck. By J. Smeltzing.
The intended application of the reverse design is uncertain. The vixen
may represent England driving out the King, who had deprived her of her
religious liberty.
288. Flight of Prince James, 1688. _Obv._ Father Petre mounted
on lobster, and holding in his arms the young Prince, on
whose head is a windmill; in distance, ship with French flag.
ALLONS MON PRINCE NOUS SOMMES EN BON CHEMIN; in ex., IAC.
FRANC. EDUARD SUPPOSEE. 20. JUIN. 1688. _Rev._ Shield bearing
windmill, surmounted by Jesuit's cap, and surrounded by rosary
with inscription, HONI SOIT QUI NON Y PENSE; and badge, a
lobster. LES ARMES ET L'ORDRE DU PRETENDU PRINCE DE GALLES.
Silver. Size 1·25. Struck.
Executed in Holland and a satire on the birth of Prince James. The
lobster is a satirical allusion to the order of the Jesuits, of which
body Father Petre was a member, and whose founder having accidentally
dropped his Bible into the sea, was presented with it the next morning
by a lobster. The arms on the reverse refer to the disputed legitimacy
of the prince. (See No. 286.)
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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