456. Victory of Oudenarde and capture of Lille, 1708. Obv. Bird's-eye view of battle-field of Oudenarde. In GaLLos VarIas DabIT ADenarDa Coronas (chronogrammatic); in ex., FVGIEN. EX VATACINIO GALLIS VICTORIA PARTA. 11. IVL. 1708. C. W. Rev. Bird's-eye view of town and fortress of Lille. In ODenarDer sIeg besteht Dass RysseL forT noCh VIeL weg geht (chronogrammatic); in ex., SPECTANT HORTVLANIS LILIVM DECERPT. 23. OCT. & 9. DEC. 1708. Silver. Size 1·7. By C. Wermuth.
The victory of Oudenarde was followed by the capture of Lille 9 Dec. 1708.
457. Taking of Sardinia and Minorca, 1708. Obv. Bust of Queen l., draped. ANNA D. G. MAG. BRI. FRA. &c. I. C. Rev. Victory, with palm and English flag, on shell in sea; Sardinia and Minorca in the distance. SARDINIA ET BALEARIS MINOR CAPTÆ. MDCCVIII. Silver. Size 1·5. By J. Croker.
The island of Sardinia was taken by Admiral Leake Aug. 1708, and in the next month he captured Minorca, in conjunction with General Stanhope, who commanded the land forces.
458. Capitulation of Lille, 1708. Obv. Same as reverse of No. [455]. Rev. Eugene on horseback l., commanding at siege of Lille. VI FACTA VIA EST. (Virg. Aen. ii. 494); in ex., MDCCVIII. Silver. Size 1·75. By J. Boskam.
The siege of Lille was opened by Eugene 22 Aug., Marlborough commanding the covering army. The city surrendered 22 Oct.; but the citadel, which was defended by the French general Marshal Boufflers, held out till 9 Dec.
459. Another. Obv. Building of the Tower of Babel and the Confusion of Tongues. CONFVNDAMVS LINGVAM EORVM, VT NON AVDIAT VNVSQVISQVE VOCEM PROXIMI SVI. (cf. Genesis xi. 7); in ex., RYSSEL VEL INSVLÆ PER PRINCIPEM EVGENIVM OBSESSA. 22. AVG. ET 23. OCT. RECEPTA. 1708. Rev. The citadel of Lille besieged; above, sun and moon. SISTE SOL IN GIBEON ET LVNA IN VALLE AIALON. (Joshua x. 12); in ex., CASTELLVM RYSEL OBSESSVM. XXVII. OCT. RECEPTVM VERO. IX. DEC.; on edge, VNITA VIRTVS VALET. Silver. Size 1·9. Dutch.
The building of the Tower of Babel and the Confusion of Tongues denote the useless efforts of the French to defend Lille and the discord which existed among their generals.
460. Another. Obv. Victory flying l., with wreath and flag of Holland; below, captured arms, and Oudenarde in the distance. ADVERSA ET AVERSA GLORIOSA; in ex., FLANDRIA UTRINQUE TROPÆIFERA CÆSI EX ITINERE GALLI AD AUDENARDAM. XII. IUL. MDCCVIII. M. S. Rev. Deputies l., followed by soldiers surrendering town of Lille to Eugene; Marlborough and his army in the distance. VICIT PERVICAX VIRTUS; in ex., INSULÆ VISCERIBUS LUDOVICI XIV. EREPTÆ NEPOTIBUS ET EXERCITU FRUSTRA RELUCTANT. IX. DEC. MDCCVIII. M. S. Silver. Size 1·85. By M. Smeltzing.
This medal commemorates the battle of Oudenarde as well as the capture of Lille.