Medal in honour of the Chevalier de St. George.—It appears that Prince James (styled the Chevalier de St. George) served in several campaigns in the Low Countries under the Marquis de Torcy. On one occasion, when the hostile armies were encamped on the banks of the Scarpe, medals were struck, and distributed among the English, bearing, besides a bust of the prince, an inscription relating to his bravery on a former occasion. Are any of these now in existence? They would probably be met with in those families whose ancestors served under Marlborough.
A. S.
Robert Bloet.—Can you certify me whether it is received as an undoubted historical fact that "Robertus, comes Moritoniensis," William the Conqueror's uterine brother, was identical with Robert Bloet, afterwards Chancellor and Bishop of Lincoln?
J. Sansom.
Sir J. Wallace and Mr. Browne.—I inclose an extract from The English Chronicle or Universal Evening Post, February 6th to February 8th, 1783. Can any of your learned correspondents state the result of the fracas between Mr. Browne and Sir J. Wallace?
"Yesterday about one o'clock, Sir J——s W——e and Lieutenant B——e, accidentally meeting in Parliament Street, near the Admiralty Gate, Mr. B——e, the moment he saw Sir J——s, took a stick which a gentleman he was in company with held in his hand, and, after a few words passing, struck Sir J——s, and gave him a dreadful wound in the forehead; they closed, and Sir J——s, who had no weapon, made the best defence possible, but being a weaker man than his antagonist, was overpowered. Mr. B——e, at parting, told Sir J——s, if he had anything to say to him, he would be found at the Salopian Coffee House. An account of this transaction being communicated to Sir Sampson Wright, he sent Mr. Bond after Mr. B——e, who found him at the Admiralty, and delivered the magistrate's compliments, at the same time requesting to see him in Bow Street. Mr. B——e promised to wait upon Sir Sampson, but afterwards finding that no warrant had issued, did not think it incumbent on him to comply, and so went about his avocations.
"Sir J——s's situation after the fracas very much excited the compassion of the populace; they beheld that veteran bleeding on the streets, who had so often gloriously fought the battles of his country! The above account is as accurate as we could learn; but should there be any trivial misstatement, we shall be happy in correcting it, through the means of any of our readers who were present on the spot.
"Sir James Wallace has not only given signal proofs of his bravery as a naval officer, but particularly in a duel with another marine officer, Mr. Perkins, whom he fought at Cape François; each taking hold of the end of a handkerchief, fired, and although the balls went through both their bodies, neither of the wounds proved mortal! The friars at Cape François, with great humanity, took charge of them till they were cured of their wounds."
J. Locke.
Dublin.
Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester.—I should be glad if any of your correspondents would refer me to any authentic account of the death of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, Queen Elizabeth's favourite. He is said by some to have been accidentally poisoned by his wife; by others purposely, by some of his adherents. This affair, though clouded in mystery, appears not to have been particularly inquired into. Likewise let me ask, on what authority is Stanfield Hall, Norfolk (the scene of a recent tragedy), described as the birthplace of Amy Robsart, the unfortunate first wife of this same nobleman?
A. S.