Both the large and small medals were conferred for service in one engagement. For a second or third engagement bars were provided. These, it may be added, in parenthesis, were the first bars given to British soldiers.
When an officer received distinctions in more than three engagements he was awarded the Peninsular Cross instead of the foregoing circular medals. This distinction was struck in gold and had much the same shape and design as was afterwards selected for the Victoria Cross. The lion on the former, however, faces to the right, whilst on the latter it looks to the left.
In this chapter we have traced the history of British medals from their inception in the reign of Elizabeth down to the stormy times of the Duke of Wellington. The period was marked by the paucity of awards made to British troops. Popular opinion, however, was gradually forcing its influence during the latter years of the period upon the authorities who withheld them, and the following chapter shows how agitations coming from non-military quarters caused a complete change of policy in the granting of these coveted distinctions.
THE INDIAN MUTINY MEDAL