The Elder Pretender, having made a descent upon the coast of Scotland with a small squadron of frigates and transports carrying a force of 5000 men, was compelled to beat a hasty retreat without effecting a landing, being intercepted off the coast near Montrose by an English fleet under Sir George Byng. The Pretender left Dunkirk 6 March, 1708, and returned to that place 7 April following.
451. Another. Obv. Bust of Queen l., draped. ANNA D. G. MAG. BRI. FRA. &c. I. C. Rev. Britannia, armed with spear and shield, defending Scotland, kneeling at her feet; French fleet retreating. CLASSE GAL. FVG.; in ex., AD FRETVM EDENBVRG. XIV. MARTII. MDCCVIII. Silver. Size 1·65. By J. Croker.
452. Another. Obv. Bust of Queen l., laur. and draped. ANNA D. G. MAGN. BRIT. FRANC. &c. S. Rev. Rose and thistle intertwined around sceptre surmounted by eye; in the distance, prisoners led to the Tower and ships in river; above one, SALISBURI. QUIS NOS IMPUNE LACESSET UNITAS; in ex., IRRITO SPURII IACOBI REDITU IN SCOTOS, CLASSE GALLICA EXTERNATA. MDCCVIII. Silver. Size 1·85. By M. Smeltzing.
In the expedition the Pretender lost one ship, the Salisbury, which Admiral Byng captured after a sharp chase. Among those on board this ship were Lord Griffin and the two sons of Lord Middleton, who were conveyed to the Tower.
453. Another. Obv. Bust of Queen l., laur. and draped. ANNA D. G. MAG. BR. FRA. &c. M. B. (monogram). Rev. Ass r., about to devour thistle, driven back by smell of rose held by woman. INIMICVS ODOR APPETITV FORTIOR; in ex., GALLI SCOTIAM AGGRESSVRI SOLO ANGLORVM ASPECTV FVGANTVR. 1708; on edge, IN FELIX OPERAM PERDAS, VT SI QVIS ASELLVM IN CAMPVM DOCEAT. HOR. SERM. L. I. Silver. Size 1·65. By M. Brunner.[28]
On this medal the Pretender is represented by the ass, Scotland by the thistle, and Anne, or Britain, by the woman who holds the rose.
454. War of the Spanish Succession: Victory of Oudenarde, 1708. Obv. Castor and Pollux (Eugene and Marlborough) on horseback, charging r. SALVTARIVM SIDERVM APPARITIO; in ex., EVGENII ET MARLEBORVGII FELIX CONIVNCTIO. Rev. View of battle of Oudenarde; town in the distance. VANDOM. IN FLANDR. SICVT IN ITAL. EVNDEM FVGIT ET VT FVGIENDVS DOCET; in ex., MVLT. MILL. GALLORVM CLADES AD ALDENAR. MDCCIIX. D. XI. IVL. Edge inscribed. Silver. Size, 1·65.
At the battle of Oudenarde, 11 July, 1708, the Allies under Eugene, Marlborough, and Ouverkirk routed the French under the Dukes of Burgundy and Vendôme, the latter having been recalled from Italy to supersede Villeroy after the battle of Ramillies. The obverse refers to the legend of the appearance of the Dioscuri at the battle of the Lake Regillus.
455. Another. Obv. Bust of Queen l., draped. ANNA D. G. MAG. BR. FR. &c. I. BOSKAM F. Rev. Attached to trophy of French flags, &c., three medallions with busts of Eugene, Marlborough, and Ouverkirk, with fourth of Victory in centre. hæC feCerVnt hI tres arMI potentes DeI. 2 sam. 23. (chronogrammatic). I. BOSKAM F. Silver. Size 1·75. By J. Boskam.
Ouverkirk, who commanded the Dutch troops in the Low Countries, died during the siege of Lille, 22 Oct. 1708, worn out with the fatigue of the war and the infirmities of premature age.