COMMONWEALTH. 1649—1660.
141. Cromwell, "Lord General," 1650. Obv. Bust, three-quarters r., wearing armour and cloak. OLI. CROMWEL MILIT. PARL. DVX GEN. Reverse plain. Silver. Size 1·4. Struck. By T. Simon.
On the 26th June, 1650, Fairfax having resigned the command of the army, Cromwell, then Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, was appointed Captain-General and Commander-in-Chief of all the forces of Parliament within the Commonwealth of England.
142—143. Cromwell, "Lord Protector," 1653. Obv. Bust l., wearing decorated armour and cloak. OLIVERVS DEI GRA. REIPVB. ANGLIÆ SCO. ET HIB. & PROTECTOR. THO. SIMON. F. Rev. Lion, sejant, laureate, supporting shield of the Protectorate. PAX QVÆRITVR BELLO. Gold and silver. Size 1·5. Struck. By T. Simon.
Cromwell was created Lord Protector on the 16th Dec. 1653. This portrait was copied from a miniature by Cooper now in the collection of the Duke of Devonshire.
144. Elizabeth, wife of Cromwell, 1641. Obv. Bust l., draped, &c. ELIZABETH WIFE OF O. C. L. P. 1641. Rev. ELIZEBETH DAUGHTER OF Sr. JAMES BOUCHER. 1641. Lead. Size 1·45. Cast. Unique.
Elizabeth, dau. of Sir James Boucher of Felstead, Essex, born 1598, mar. 1620, died 1672. This medal is of the time: but the date is an anachronism, as Cromwell was not Lord Protector till 1653.
145. Henry Cromwell, 1654. Obv. Bust, facing, wearing armour, &c.: on arm, A. S. Rev. HEN. CROMWELL GVB. HIB. 1654; wreath-border. Lead. Oval. Size 1·15. Cast and chased; with ring for suspension. By A. Simon.
Henry Cromwell, fourth son of the Protector, born 1627, commanded in Ireland 1649; appointed Lord Deputy of Ireland 1654; died 1673.
146. Elizabeth Cromwell, wife of John Claypole, 1658. Obv. Bust r., wearing necklace and slightly draped. Reverse plain. Silver. Oval. Size 1·3. Cast and chased from a model by A. Simon.
Elizabeth, second dau. of Cromwell, born 1630, mar. John Claypole, died at Hampton Court 6th Aug. 1658; was buried at Westminster Abbey.
147. John Claypole, 1658. Obv. Bust l., wearing doublet. Reverse plain. Silver. Oval. Size 1·1. Cast and chased; with ring for suspension; from a model by A. Simon.
John Claypole, husband of Elizabeth Cromwell, died 1688.
148. Henry Ireton, 1650. Obv. Head l. QVID TIBI RETRIBVAM. T. S. 1650. Rev. Soldier climbing rock and firing cottage, distant view of battle, &c. IVSTITIA NECESSITASQ. IVBET. Copper. Oval. Size 1·15. Cast and chased; with silver rim and ring for suspension. By T. Simon.
Henry Ireton, born 1610, was educated at Oxford, joined the parliamentarians and fought at Naseby, mar. Bridget, dau. of Cromwell, 1646, was appointed deputy of the Protector in Ireland 1650. Died 1651. The reverse is intended as an excuse for his conduct in Ireland.
149—150. Battle of Dunbar, 1650. Obv. Bust of Cromwell l., wearing armour and scarf; in the distance, battle. THE LORD OF HOSTS. WORD AT DVNBAR SEPTEM. Y. 3. 1650; on arm, THO. SIMON FE. Rev. Parliament assembled in one house with Speaker. Silver and copper. Oval. Size 1·3. Struck. By T. Simon.
Executed by order of Parliament for distribution amongst the officers and soldiers engaged in the battle of Dunbar. The dies of this medal were discovered at Hursly, Hants, the seat of Sir Thomas Heathcote, but once the residence of Richard Cromwell.
151. Another. Similar: on arm, T. SIMON F., and ring for suspension. Gold. Oval. Size .95. By T. Simon.
152. Another. Similar: with plain reverse and no ring. Silver. Oval. Size .95. Struck. By T. Simon.
153. Naval Reward. Service against Six Ships, 1650. Obv. Anchor, from which are suspended two shields, arms of England and Ireland, the whole encircled by cable. MERUISTI. Rev. Ship in close action with two others, four more in the distance. SERVICE DON AGAINST SIX SHIPS JVLY Y. XXXI. & AVGUST Y. I. 1650. Silver. Oval. Size 1·6. Struck.
Captain Wyard, in a Ship of twenty-two guns, when convoying four merchant vessels from Hull to Amsterdam, was attacked by six Irish frigates, which after a long conflict he beat off. This medal was struck for distribution amongst Captain Wyard and his crew.
Although this medal has the same obverse type as the following one, it seems somewhat doubtful whether it was executed by T. Simon.
154. Naval Reward, 1650. Obv. Similar to preceding; on the beam of the anchor, T.S. Rev. Parliament assembled in one house with Speaker. Gold. Oval. Size .95. Struck; with ring for suspension. By T. Simon.
Executed in 1650 by order of Parliament, and bestowed for naval service.
155. Naval Reward, 1653. Blake's victories over the Dutch. Obv. Anchor, from which are suspended three shields, arms of England, Scotland and Ireland; the whole encircled by cable. Rev. Naval engagement; the stern of one vessel inscribed, SIMON; on the prow of another, T.S.; broad border of trophies from the Dutch. Lead. Oval. Size 2·2. Struck. By T. Simon.
Four of these medals were ordered by the Parliament to be struck in commemoration of naval victories over the Dutch. Two with chains of £300 value each were presented to Blake and Monk; two with chains of £100 value each, to Admirals Penn and Lawson. Of these medals three are extant. In 1651, when Scotland was incorporated with the Commonwealth, a third shield was introduced, in the arms of Great Britain. The shield of Scotland is not on the naval reward of 1650. (See No. [153].)
156. Another. Similar: with border of laurel leaves. Gold. Oval. Size 2. Struck; with ring for suspension. By T. Simon.
Four of these medals were struck for presentation with chains of the value of £40 each to the four flag officers. Of these one is in the possession of C. D. Holworthy, who inherited it from his maternal ancestor, Capt. Haddock.
157. Another. Similar: without border. Gold. Size 1·6. Struck; with ring for suspension. By T. Simon.
The medals of the class were probably distributed amongst the Captains of the vessels engaged.
158. Saving the Triumph, 1653. Same medal with inscription engraved on the reverse, FOR EMINENT SERVICE IN SAVING Y TRIVMPH FIERED IN FIGHT WH. Y. DVCH IN IVLY 1653. Gold. Oval. Size 1·6. Struck; with ring for suspension. By T. Simon.
The Triumph was Blake's flag-ship, and in the battle of 31st July, 1653, in the absence of her commander, she took fire and was abandoned by the greater part of the crew. Those who remained, redoubling their efforts, succeeded in saving her, and were rewarded with the above medal bearing a special inscription.
159. Admiral Blake, 1653. Obv. Bust, three quarters r., wearing armour, ruff, &c. ROBṬ. BLAKE. Born 1598. Died 1657. He fought at once with Ships & Castles. He dared the Fury of all the Elements, & left an Example to Posterity which is incredible; to be imitated. Rev. Naval engagement with broad trophy border as No. [155]. Silver. Oval. Size 2·3. Engraved and struck. By T. Simon.
Robert Blake, born 1598, commanded in the West for Parliament during the Civil War, entered the Naval Service in 1649 and obtained several victories over the Dutch during the years 1652—1654. Died 1657. The obverse of this medal is engraved, and the reverse is struck, each on a thin plate. The portrait is not as it professes to be of Blake, but is a coarse copy of one of Maurice, Prince of Orange.
160. Peace with Holland, 1654. Obv. Britain and Holland armed, holding spears, each surmounted with cap of Liberty, and bearing national flag, Peace uniting spears with olive-wreath. HIER BINT DE HEIL'GE VREEDEN BRIT. EN BATAVIER, &c. Rev. Ship in full sail r., driven by winds; above, Fame; beneath, Tritons; AO 1654. WAAROM ZEILT T. VREDESCHIP OPT. SILVER IN DE ZEE, &c. Silver-gilt. Size 3·15. Repoussé and chased.
Holland, defeated in a series of naval actions, sued for peace and submitted to terms favourable to England. This medal is Dutch, and is composed of two plates united by rim. It was probably executed by Pieter van Abeele, (see note, [p. 37]).
161. Another, 1654. Obv. Cromwell delivering treaty of Peace to the representative of the United Provinces. VREDE GESLOTEN TUSSCHEN DEN HEER HEERE PROTECTEVR CROMWEL, &c. IN DEN IARE 1654. Rev. Shield, arms and crest of the town of Sluys. PIETER LIPS ENDE FERDINANDE DE BACKERE BVRGEMEESTERS DER STADT SLVYS ANNO 1654. Silver. Size 3·4. Engraved.
This medal was probably executed by order of the Burgomasters of Sluys mentioned in the reverse inscription.
162. Another, 1654. Obv. Britannia with harp on her knees, and Holland with Belgic lion at her feet, seated, facing, holding between them cap of Liberty: beneath, CONCL. XV/XXV D. APRIL Ao. MDCLIV. MENTIBUS UNITIS PRISCUS PROCUL ABSIT AMAROR, &c. Rev. A British and a Dutch ship sailing together on calm sea; on stern of each, S.D. LUXURIAT GEMINO NEXU TRANQVILLA SALO RES, &c. Silver. Size 2·35. Struck. By Sebastian Dadler.
This medal, besides commemorating the peace, refers also to the treaty of commerce and alliance between England and Holland.
163. Another, 1654. Obv. Neptune in sea-chariot, facing; on his knees two shields, arms of England with Ireland and Holland; car attended by two Tritons; behind, sun, whose rays fill field. AMANTIVM IRA AMICITIÆ REDINTEGRATIO EST; on car and beneath, Jerian Pool fecit Amsterdami. Rev. Long inscription in Dutch relating to the Treaty between the Lord Protector and the States General concluded 15th April, ratified 2nd May, and proclaimed 27th May, 1654. Silver. Size 2·35. Struck. By Jerian Pool.[11]
164—165. Death of Cromwell, 1658. Obv. Bust l., laureate, in armour. OLIVAR. D. G. RP. ANG. SCO. HIB. &c. PROTECTOR; on arm, T. SIMON. Rev. Landscape, with young olive tree growing up at side of the stump of an old one; shepherds tending their flocks. NON DEFITIENT OLIVA. SEP. 3. 1658. Gold and copper. Oval. Size .85. Struck; with ring for suspension. By T. Simon.
Oliver Cromwell, born 2nd April, 1599, commanded for Parliament in the Civil War, appointed Lord-Lieutenant and Commander-in-Chief in Ireland 1649, Lord-General 1650, and Lord Protector 1653, died Sept. 3rd, 1658. The reverse of this medal refers to the succession of the Protectorate passing to Richard Cromwell.
166—167. Another. Obv. Bust l., laureate, in armour. OLIVAR. D. G. RP. ANG. SCO. HIBERNIÆ PROTECTOR. Rev. Landscape with young olive tree and shepherd with sheep; in the distance, trees and buildings. NON DEFITIENT OLIVA. SEP. 3. 1658. Gold and silver. Size 1·85. Struck.
This and the next medal of smaller size were struck in Holland to be supplied to those who were unable to procure the one executed by T. Simon.
168. Another. Obv. Bust l., laureate, mantle over shoulders. OLIVAR. D. G. RP. ANG. SCO. HIB. PRO. Rev. Similar to preceding. Gold. Size 1·1. Struck. Dutch.
169. Trial of John Lilburne, 1649. Obv. Bust l., with high collar, &c. Legend in three concentric circles, IOHN LILBORNE SAVED BY THE POWER OF THE LORD AND THE INTEGRITY OF HIS IVRY WHO ARE IVGES OF LAW AS WEL AS FACT. OCT. 26. 1649. Rev. Rose in centre of four concentric circles inscribed with the names of the twelve jurymen and date of trial as above. Silver. Size 1·3. Struck.
John Lilburn, an ardent agitator born 1618, was several times prosecuted and imprisoned for seditious libels, first against Charles I., and afterwards against Cromwell. This medal was struck upon his acquittal in 1649, when he was accused of high treason for libelling Cromwell. He died 1657.
170. General Lambert, 1653. Head l., bare; behind, I. LAMBERT. Lead. Oval. Size 1·15. Cast. This medalet is made after the manner of an antique gem.
John Lambert, parliamentary general and statesman, born 1619, distinguished himself at Marston Moor and Naseby; was the leader of the "Fifty monarchy men," and opposed the Restoration; aft. banished to Guernsey, where he died 1692.
171. Sir Robert Bolles, 1655. Obv. Bust l., wearing armour and scarf; on arm, T. RAWLINS F., 1655. ROB. BOLLES DE SCAMPTON IN COM. LINCOL. BARONET. No reverse. Wreath-border. Lead. Size 1·75. Cast and partly chased. By T. Rawlins.
Sir Robert Bolles, born 1619, was one of the Grand Jury for the trial of the Regicides, and represented Lincoln in Parliament; mar. 1637 the dau. of Sir Edward Hussey, of Hannington, Linc.; died 1663.
172—172. Sir Henry B. Slingesby, 1658. Obv. Half-length figure, facing, in armour. Inner legend. AN EARNEST PENNY FOR MY CHILDREN. THO. H. B. SLINGESBY OXON. 1644. Outer legend. EX RESIDVIS NVMMI SVB HASTA PIMMIANA LEGE PRÆDATI IVXTA DAVENTRIAM. Rev. Shield, arms and crest of Slingesby impaling Belasyse. Beheaded June ye 8: by O: C: 1657. Engraved. Silver-gilt; and silver, with 1658 correct date. Oval. Size 1·85. Cast; with ring for suspension. By T. Rawlins.
Sir Henry Slingesby, Bart., commanded in the North for the King, and after the surrender of York made his way to Oxford with a portion of his army; but being attacked on the road near Daventry by a company of rebel horse, he lost all that he had. Shortly afterwards, being made prisoner he was confined at Hull, and being brought up to London was executed on Tower Hill 8th June, 1658. At Oxford he resided with Sir William Parkhurst, Master of the Mint, which may account for the execution of this medal intended as an "earnest penny" for his three children.
173. Henry Scobell, 1649. Obv. Bust l., in doublet. Rev. Hen. Scobell, engraved. Silver. Size 1·3. Cast and chased. By T. Simon.
Henry Scobell appointed Clerk of Parliament in 1649, again in 1653, and for the third time in 1654: and Clerk of the Council 1656.
174. John Thurloe, 1653. Obv. Bust r., wearing cap and doublet; on arm, T. S. Rev. Double florid monogram of J.T.: beneath, Secr. Thurloe. Gold. Size 1·3. Cast and chased; with ring for suspension. By T. Simon.
John Thurloe, born 1616, filled numerous offices of State; appointed Secretary of the Council 1652, and Secretary to Cromwell 1653; suspected of treason, was imprisoned, but released at the Restoration. Died 1668.
175. Sir James Harrington, 1653. Obv. Bust l., in armour and cloak; on arm, T.S. Rev. Inscription with name and offices of Harrington Silver. Size 1·3. Cast and chased. By T. Simon.
The Reverse inscription states that Sir James Harrington of Sweakley was general of the forces of London and Westminster at the battle of Newbury 1644, and member of Parliament for Rutlandshire, and one of the Council of State, 1653. Harrington, born in 1609, was a strong supporter of the Parliament, by which he was much employed; was pardoned at the Restoration and retired into private life.
176. Bulstrode Whitelock, 1653. Obv. Bust l., in robes of office; on arm, T.S. Rev. Inscription in Latin with name and offices of Whitelock. Silver. Size 1·3. Cast and chased. By T. Simon.
The Reverse inscription relates that in 1653 Bulstrode Whitelock was keeper of the Great Seal of England, Constable of Windsor Castle, and High Steward of Oxford. He filled many other offices during the protectorate, and was a commissioner of the Great Seal in 1659. Died 1676.
177. Unknown portrait, 1653. Obv. Bust l., in cap, doublet, and deep collar; on arm, T.S. Reverse plain. Silver. Size 1·35. Cast and chased. Unique. By Thomas Simon.
178. Solicitor General Coke. Obv. Bust of Coke l., in doublet with double row of buttons, &c.; wreath-border. Rev. Sol. Gen. J. Cooke. Engraved. Silver. Size 1·3. Cast and chased.
J. Coke, distinguished lawyer, was made Solicitor-General by the High Court of Justice to conduct the trial of the King; afterwards appointed a judge in Ireland, executed as a Regicide in 1660.