JAMES II. 1685—1688.
258—259. Accession, 1685. Obv. Bust of King r., laur., in cloak. IACOBUS II. D. G. ANG. SCO. FR. ET HI. REX. I. R. (monogram). Rev. Bust of Queen r., laur., draped. MARIA D. G. ANG. SCO. FR. ET HI. REGINA. I. R. (monogram). Gold and silver. Size 1·35. Struck. By John Roettier.
The Accession of James II. took place on 6 Feb. 1685.
260. Coronation, 1685. Obv. Same. Rev. Laurel-wreath on cushion: above, hand from cloud holding crown. A MILITARI AD REGIAM. INAVGVRAT. 23. AP. 1685. Gold. Size 1·35. Struck. By J. Roettier.
This medal was the official one distributed among those present at the coronation 23 April, 1685.
261. Another. Obv. Same as Rev. of No. [258]. Rev. The Queen as Venus seated on a mound. O DEA CERTE. (Virg. Aen. I. 332.) Gold. Size 1·25. Struck. By J. Roettier.
Like the previous medal struck and distributed at the coronation.
262. Another. Obv. Bust of King r., laur., wearing cloak. IACOBVS II. D. G. MAG. BRI. &c. G. B. F. Rev. Victory with flaming sword and branch guarding crown on chair. TUTAMEN AB ALTO. Silver. Size 1·7. Struck. By G. Bower.
263. Opening of Scottish Parliament, 1685. Obv. Head of King r., laur. IACOBUS II. D. G. MAG. BRI. &c. Rev. Lion couchant crowned holding sceptre and orb. NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSET. MDCLXXXV. I. S. Silver. Size 1·9. Struck. By J. Smeltzing.[17]
The Scottish Parliament, summoned by the King, assembled on St. George's day, 23 April 1685, the day of the King's coronation. The English Parliament did not meet till 22 May following.
264—265. James and Mary, 1685. Obv. Busts jugate r. of King laur., and Queen both draped. IACOBUS II. ET MARIA D. G. MAG. BRI. &c. G. B. F. Rev. Sun radiate. FORTES RADII SED BENIGNI. 1685. Silver-gilt and silver. Size 2·05. Struck. By G. Bower.
This medal was probably struck about the time of the coronation.
266. Duke of Monmouth, 1685. Rebellion. Obv. Head of Monmouth r., in armour. IACOBUS DUX MONUMET. FID. ET LIBERT. DEFENSOR. Rev. Roman soldier attempting to tear open lion's jaw. PARUM SUCCESSIT, FECI SEDULO. MDCLXXXV. Silver. Size 1·9. Struck. By J. Smeltzing.
This medal was struck after Monmouth's defeat at Sedgemoor.
267. Another. Defeat, 1685. Obv. Bust of Monmouth r., in armour and cloak, G. BOWERS F. Rev. Monmouth falling from rock in the ocean, on summit of which are three crowns, palm and laurel branches. SVPERI RISERE. (Ovid. Met. IV. 188.) IVLY 6o. 1685. Silver. Size 1·95. Struck. By G. Bower.
This medal was issued after the failure of Monmouth's rebellion.
268. Monmouth beheaded, 1685. Obv. Bust, similar to preceding. IACOBVS DVX MONVMETHENSIS. G. BOWERS F. Rev. Two genii in clouds supporting ducal coronet, above cipher J. E. D. M. (James Edward, Duke of Monmouth). CAPVT INTER NVBILA. Silver. Size 1·95. Struck. By G. Bower.
Monmouth was executed on Tower Hill 15 July, 1685.
269. Another. Obv. Head of Monmouth r. IACOBUS INFELIX DUX MONUMETHENSIS. Rev. Decapitated head of Monmouth on ground spouting blood. HUNC SANGUINEM LIBO DEO LIBERATORI. CÆSA CERVIX. LON. IULY. 15/25 1685. Silver. Size 1·45. Struck. By J. Smeltzing.
270. Monmouth and Argyll, beheaded, 1685. Obv. Bust of King l., laur., on pedestal, and resting on the four sceptres of England, Scotland, Ireland and France, pedestal ornamented with royal shield in Garter, crowned, and inscribed, ARAS ET SCEPTRA TUEMUR. 1685. R. A. FEC.; in the distance, sea with ships and Neptune in sea-chariot. IACOBVS II. D. G. MAG. BRI. &c. Rev. On pedestal inscribed, AMBITIO MALESUADA RUIT, Justice holding sword and weighing three crowns against sword, torch and serpent; at her feet, bodies of Monmouth and Argyll, their heads on blocks inscribed with their names: distant view of troops destroyed by lightning, and Tower of London with heads on spears. Silver. Size 2·35. Struck. By R. Arondeaux.[18]
This medal commemorates the unsuccessful invasions of Monmouth and Argyll, both of whom were defeated, captured and beheaded, Monmouth in London, 15 July, 1685, and Argyll in Edinburgh 30 July following.
271. Naval or Military Reward, 1685. Obv. Bust of King r., wearing mantle. IACOBVS II. DEI GRA. ANG. SCOT, &c. J. R. (monogram). Rev. Trophy of arms; in the distance, naval engagement. GENVS ANTIQVVM. Silver. Size 2·5. Struck. By J. Roettier.
Struck for a naval or military reward and distributed after the defeats of Monmouth and Argyll.
272. King's conduct towards the Church, 1688. Obv. Pedestal inscribed BRITANNIA; on it, dove, chalice, wafer, rosary and mitre, and in centre, Bible surmounted by cap inscribed, LIBERT.: above, hand from cloud with scroll, inscribed, C. FAGELII EPISTOLA EFFLAGITATA A I. STEWARDO. 1687. Leg. LIBERTAS CONSCIENTIÆ HOC MONILI ORNATA. Rev. Dog wearing rosary swallowing book with M. I. (Magnum Juramentum) trampling on another with L. C. (Libertas Conscientiae) and throwing down from column ornamented with serpent-band a third with S. R. P. (Salus Religionis Protestantis) and seals T. P. (Test and Penal Laws). RES IMMODERATA CUPIDO EST. MDCLXXXVIII. Silver. Size 2·3. Struck. By J. Smeltzing.
Tho Obverse represents the religious toleration of Britain; the Mitre of the Church of England, the chalice, wafer, and rosary of Rome, and the dove of the Nonconformists having the free Bible in their centre. The inscribed scroll refers to the engagement by James of James Steward, a Scottish lawyer, to write letters to the Pensionary Fagel with a view to induce William and Mary to approve the abolition of the Test and Penal Laws. The Reverse symbolizes James devouring his coronation oath, trampling on the liberty of conscience, and removing the Test and Penal Laws, which sealed the safety of the state.
273. Trial of the Seven Bishops, 1688. Obv. Bust of Sancroft r., in robes and skull cap. GVIL. SANCROFT ARCHIEPISC. CANTVAR. 1688. Rev. Medallions with portraits of the six Bishops; in centre, another of Bishop of London: stars in field. G. B. F.; on edge, SI FRACTUS ILLABATVR ORBIS IMPAUIDOS FERIENT RUINÆ. (Hor. Car. III. 3. 8.) Silver. Size 2. Struck. By G. Bower.
The Bishops who were committed to the Tower for opposing the declaration of indulgence issued by James, were Sancroft of Canterbury, Lloyd of St. Asaph, Ken of Bath and Wells, Turner of Ely, Lake of Chichester, White of Peterborough and Trelawny of Bristol; to these is added the portrait of Compton of London, who on account of his opposition to James had been suspended and removed from the Council table and Deanery of the Chapel Royal.
274. Another. Sancroft and Pleiades, 1688. Obv. Same. Rev. Seven stars, Pleiades in the midst of the starry heavens. QVIS RESTRINGET PLEIADVM DELICIAS. IOB. C. 38. Silver. Size 2. Struck. By G. Bower.
The seven Bishops are likened to the beneficent Pleiades.
275. Another. Obv. Jesuit and Monk undermining Church founded on a rock supported by hand from heaven. THE GATES OF HELL SHALL NOT PREVAILE. (Mat. xvi. 18.) Rev. Seven Medallions of Sancroft and the six Bishops with Eng. inscr. L. AB. CAN. &c.; over each, mitre. WISDOM HATH BVILDED HER HOVS SHE HATH HEWEN OVT HER 7 PILLERS. (Prov. ix. 1.) Silver. Size 2·25. Cast and chased. Dutch, and of very coarse work.
The Church is the Church of England undermined by the Jesuits and Monks, but protected by Heaven.
276. Another. The Bishops imprisoned, 1688. Obv. The White Tower of London; in the distance, Bishops approaching, under a guard; populace on the other side. PROBIS HONORI INFAMIÆQVE MALIS: and in ex., names of seven Bishops with date of imprisonment 8/18 June and liberation 15/25 June, 1688. Rev. Sun and moon equally balanced in scales suspended from clouds. SIC SOL LUNAQUE IN LIBRA. Silver. Size 2·3. Struck. By J. Smeltzing ?
The sun and moon are said to represent the King and the people equally balanced.
277. Another. Sancroft and Church, 1688. Obv. Bust of Sancroft l., in robes and skull cap. GVIL. SANCROFT ARCHIEPS. CANT. Rev. Church on rock amidst sea, buffeted by four winds. IMMOTA TRIVMPHANS. Silver. Size 1·2. Struck. By G. Bower.
278. Birth of Prince James, 1688. Obv. Royal shield and crown supported by four genii, two of whom hold shield of Cornwall and Prince's plume. HONOR. PRIN. MAG. BRIT. FRA. ET HIB. NAT. 10. IVN. 1688. Rev. Infant Prince on cushion; above, genii with trumpets and holding scroll, inscribed, VENIAT CENTESIMVS HÆRES: in the distance, ships, &c. Silver. Size 1·45. Struck. By G. Bower.
Prince James (Elder Pretender) was born 10 June, 1688.
279. Another. Obv. Bust of King l., laur., draped. IACOBUS II. D. G. BRITANNIARUM IMPERATOR. Rev. Queen in bed holding infant. FELICITAS PUBLICA; in ex., inscription giving date of Prince's birth, 20 June (N.S.) and stating that this medal was struck by order of Ignatius White, Marq. d'Albeville, &c., Ambassador in Holland. Silver. Size 2·35. Struck. Dutch.
Ignatius White, Marquis d'Albeville was Ambassador Extraordinary for England in Holland at the time of the Prince's birth, which he celebrated with much pomp and with splendid entertainments.
280. Another. Obv. Truth opening door of cabinet and revealing Jesuit thrusting through trap child with pyx and crown; door inscribed, IAC. FRANC. EDUARD. SUPPOSIT. 20. IUNII 1688; in distance, sea with ships. SIC NON HEREDE DEERUNT. Rev. Trojan horse wearing saddle-cloth, inscribed, LIBERT. CONṢ. SINE IURAM. ET LEG. P.; on girth, ASTU; in distance, Troy in flames. EQUO NUNQUAM TU CREDE BRITANNE. (Cf. Virg. Aen. II. 48.) Silver. Size 2·25. Struck.
This medal was struck in Holland at the instigation of those who asserted that the Prince was a supposititious child, and that Father Petre and the Jesuits were the contrivers of the plot.
281. Another. Obv. Aglauros opening basket, from which escapes Ericthonius, in distance two frightened women. INFANTEMQUE VIDENT, APORRECTUMQUE DRACONEM. Rev. Drooping withered rose-bush with two flowers; at small distance, young sucker. TAMEN NASCATUR OPORTET. MDCLXXXVIII. Silver. Size 1·9. Struck. Dutch.
The Prince is here likened to Ericthonius. As the Queen was by certain persons held to be incapable of bearing a child, they considered the Prince not to be of royal blood but a pretender, or as Ericthonius, to have been produced without a mother. The rosebush with two roses is symbolical of the King and Queen, and the sucker of the Prince, which springs up at such a distance that its parent stock is doubtful.
282. Antichristian Confederacy, 1688. Obv. Soliman III., Louis XIV., the Dey of Algiers, and James swearing alliance at lighted altar, on side of which crescent above ☧; on the altar snake. SOLIMAN III. LVDOV. XIIII. MEZOMORTO. IACOBVS II. CONTRA CHRISTI ANIMVM. Rev. Three lilies supporting crescent; above, imp in Jesuit's cap with sword and thunderbolt. IN FŒDERE QUINTUS. 1688. Silver. Size 1·45. Struck. Dutch.
It was rumoured in Holland that a secret treaty had been concluded between James and Louis XIV. called "The French league to cut Protestants' throats in England," and also that James had allowed some Algerine Corsairs to carry Dutch prizes into English ports. Like-wise Louis was accused of exciting the Turks against the Germans. As illustrating these rumours these four potentates are represented as leaguing together against Christianity, the devil being a fifth conspirator.
283. Invitation to William of Orange, 1688. Obv. Busts of William and Mary jugate r., draped. Beneath, M. WILH. HENR. ET MARIA D. G. AUR. PRINC. ETC. REFORMATIONIS VINDICES; above, ATAVUM PRO LIBERTATE FIDEQUE. Rev. Religion under eye of Providence trampling upon emblems of Romanism and resting her l. hand on cap of liberty, placed upon open Bible lying on altar inscribed, SS. FIDES; in r. hand, scroll inscribed, LITTERÆ FAGELII. Leg. IAM MIHI ROMA MINAX FISTULA DULCE CANIT; in ex., REFORMATIO ANGLIÆ. MDCLXXXVIII. Silver. Size 2·45. Struck. Dutch.
When Zuleistein, who had been sent by William to congratulate James on the birth of the Prince, returned to Holland, he brought back with him an invitation to William numerously signed to place himself at the head of the Protestant party in England. The reverse refers to the mistrust of the Protestant party of the declaration of Liberty of Conscience, and to Religion, who, claiming an open and free Bible, appeals to the letters of Fagel as setting forth the principles of William. (See No. [272].)
284. Flight of James, 1689. Obv. Bust of King l., wearing bag-wig, and draped. IACOBUS II. BRITAN. REX FUGITIV. Rev. Column shattered by lightning; distant view of London. NON ICTV HVMANO SED FLATV DIVINO; in ex., SPONTE FUGIT IACOB. II. ANG. REX L. 20. DEC. CAPTUS 23. D. 1688. ITERUM FUGIT 2. IAN. 1689. S.N. Silver. Size 1·4. Struck. By J. Smeltzing.
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].)
289. Reception of James by Louis XIV., 1689. Obv. Head of Louis XIV. r. LUDOVICUS XIIII. REX CHRISTIANISSIMUS. I. MAVGER F. Rev. Gallia receiving James, his Queen and son. PERFUGIUM REGIBUS: in ex., IAC. II. M. BR. REX CUM REG. CONI. ET PR. WALLIAE IN GALL. RECEPTUS. MDCLXXXIX. Silver. Size 1·6. Struck. By J. Mauger.
One of the historical series of medals of Louis XIV.
290. Another. Obv. Same as No. [287]. Rev. Sun partially eclipsed by moon; below, landscape and sea with ships. ORBATA LUCE LUCIDUM OBSCURAT; in ex., LUD. XIV. GALL. REX ADMITTIT IAC. II. BRIT. REGEM FUG. VII. IAN. MDCLXXXIX. S.N. Silver. Size 2·25. Struck. By J. Smeltzing.
The sun was the emblem of Louis XIV., which is here represented as eclipsed by the fortunes of James, the moon.
291. Memorial of James II., 1701. Bust of King r., laur., wearing armour and cloak; on shoulder, 88 (1688). IACOBVS II. D. G. MAG. BRIT. FR. ET HIB. REX NAT. OCT. 17. 33. OB. SEP. 4. 1701. ÆTAT. 67. Lead. Oval. Size 3·65. Cast. A plaque.
This thin plate of lead may have been intended for the lid of a box. It was executed after the death of James probably during the reign of Anne.