"Charles R. Trusty and well beloved, we greet you well, whereas we have received information that those soldiers which have been forward to serve us in the Forlorn-hope, are not looked upon according to their merited valour and loyal service. We do, therefore, require, that from henceforward, the Commander-in-Chief both of Horse and Foot, which lead up the Forlorn-hope upon whom also we mean to bestow special tokens of our princely favour, do signify in writing the names of those soldiers whom they find most forward in serving us, their King and country, that care may be taken to reward their deservings and make them specially known to all our good subjects. For which end we have thought fit to require Sir William Parkhurst, Kt., and Thomas Bushell, Esq., Wardens of the Mint, to provide from time to time certain Badges of Silver, containing our Royal image, and that of our dearest son, Prince Charles, to be delivered to wear on the breast of every man who shall be certified under the hands of their Commander-in-Chief to have done us faithful service in the Forlorn-hope.
"And we do, therefore, most straightly command that no soldier at any time do sell, nor any of our subjects presume to buy, or wear, any of these said Badges, other than they to whom we shall give the same, and that under such pain and punishment as the Council of War shall think fit to inflict if any shall presume to offend against this our Royal command. And we further require the said Commanders and Wardens of our Mint to keep several registers of the names of those, and of their country, for whom they shall give their certificate. Given at our Court, at Oxford, the 18th day of May, 1643."
It is unfortunate that what records were presumably kept, under these orders, were destroyed by a disastrous fire which took place at Oxford in 1644. Thus we neither know how many specimens of the Forlorn Hope medal were distributed, nor do we even know for certain the exact design it bore. A number of identical copies exist of a medallion bearing the profile of King Charles on the obverse, and that of Prince Charles on the reverse, and this is usually considered to be the award in question.
The Dunbar medal, the next to call for attention, is of special interest, as it was the first British award to be given to every member of the fighting forces, whether man or officer. This attractive decoration was struck in 1650 in two sizes, a small gold piece for officers and a large copper one for distribution among the ranks. Both bore the same design, namely, Cromwell's profile and the inscription "Word.at.Dunbar. The Lord of Hosts. Septem. Y. 3. 1650.," on the obverse, and a view, in exaggerated perspective, of Parliament in full assembly on the reverse.
A curious letter, referring to the design of this medal, and written by the Protector, is still extant. It explains that Cromwell while in Scotland received a visit from the artist chosen by Parliament to execute the design. The artist went to beg a few sittings of the great leader with a view to producing a faithful portrait-likeness. But Cromwell was extremely loath to allow his features to be displayed upon the medal, and advanced all manner of excuses, probably owing to feelings of over-sensitiveness. In the end he was prevailed upon, and the medal bore his profile as stated above. This incident is of special interest, as historians have seldom, if ever, mentioned in discussing the character of this able soldier that one of his qualities was modesty.
After Dunbar came a lengthy period during which many medals were struck; they were all, however, of an individual character, being awarded to leaders for personal services.
Culloden, which was fought on April 16, 1746, was the next event to call for a special issue of medals. To commemorate the Young Pretender's rout, oval medals in gold and silver were struck. It is presumed that the gold pieces were awarded to leaders of the highest rank, whilst the silver ones went to those of lesser importance. It is certain, however, that no awards were made to the common soldiers.
The design was remarkably bold and imposing; the obverse bore a simple profile of the Duke of Cumberland with short curly hair and the word "Cumberland," whilst the reverse showed an unclothed full-length figure of Apollo, looking to the left. The inscription "Actum est ilicet perut" and, also in Latin, "Battle of Culloden, April 16th, 1746," appeared on the reverse.
This medal was one of the first to be issued with a definitely prescribed pattern for the ribbon. The warrant effecting its issue stated that "it was to be worn round the necks of officers by means of a crimson ribbon having a narrow green border." The medal is exceedingly rare, but of the few copies known to exist one, fortunately, may be seen among the treasures of the British Museum, and another in the Royal United Service Museum.