medal
- Museum number
- M.7156
- Description
-
Oval gold medal. Wreath border on both sides. Cast and chased, and furnished with loops for suspension. (whole)
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Half-length figure of the Earl of Essex, nearly full face, in armour, falling lace collar, and scarf round his body, sword in hand; over his head, S. X. (Essex.) (obverse)
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The two Houses of Parliament with the King and Speaker. (reverse)
- Production date
- 1642
- Dimensions
-
Height: 35.000 millimetres
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Width: 27.000 millimetres
- $Inscriptions
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- Curator's comments
- Medallic Illustrations 1, published in 1885, states:
Not uncommon.
It was issued in gold and silver, to be given to persons of various ranks in Essex's army. Though the army was fighting against the King he is represented upon his throne, and Essex declared "I do promise in the sight of Almighty God, that I shall undertake nothing but what shall tend to the advancement of the true Protestant Religion, the security of his Majesty's royal person, the maintenance of the just privileges of Parliament and the liberty and property of the subject."
Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex, eldest son of the favourite of Elizabeth, was born in 1591. He commanded in the Netherlands and was considered a good general. When the Civil War broke out he was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the parliamentary forces, but was displaced in 1645. He died 14 September 1646.
See Pinkerton, J., ‘The Medallic History of England to the Revolution’, London, 1790 (fol.), xxi. 5; Vertue, George, ‘Medals, Coins, Great Seals, &c., of T. Simon, Chief Engraver of the Mint to K. Charles the 1st, &c.’ [London], 1753, x. fig. A.
- Location
- Not on display
- Department
- Coins and Medals
- Registration number
- M.7156
- Additional IDs
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Miscellaneous number: H51
- C&M catalogue number
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MB1 (Medallic Illustrations 1) (295) (113)
