Drake's Medal.—This handsome medal, given to Sir Francis Drake by Queen Elizabeth after his voyage round the world, now in the possession of the descendants of the famous commander at Nutwell Court, Devonshire, is a characteristic example of the Elizabethan jeweller's art. The frame, set with diamonds and rubies, and enamelled in various colours, forms a handsome setting for the fine cameo cut in onyx, and attributed to Valerio Vincenteno. Two heads are carved thereon, one representing Europe cut in the lower strata of white, while out of the upper strata of black the head of a negro has been fashioned. Set in the reverse is a beautiful miniature of Queen Elizabeth by the famous painter Nicholas Hilliard, with the date Anno Dom: 1575 Regni 20. From the badge depends a cluster of baroque pearls connecting a pear-shaped drop with the main body of the badge. The virgin Queen also presented the intrepid mariner with a jewelled star of twelve points; rubies set in the rays, and diamonds and opals in the circular centre surrounding an orb indicative of sovereignty. Loops are attached for fixing on to the coat.
Charles I Naval Medals.—Charles I issued a medal which, because of its size, could not have been intended as a personal decoration, but rather to commemorate the launching of the famous three-decker, the "Royal Sovereign," in 1637. On the obverse is a portrait in profile of the King looking left: it varies, however, and on one the monarch is represented with a ruff round the neck, and a jewel depending from stars on the shoulder; and on the other he is represented in armour, with long curling hair over a turn-down collar. Around the bust is the motto CAROLVS ◆ I ◆ D ◆ G ◆ MAG ◆ BRITAIN ◆ FRAN ◆ ET ◆ HIB ◆ REX. On the truncation is 1639. The medal is in silver 2·35 in. in diameter, and is by Nicholas, Bristol. On the reverse is the "Royal Sovereign" under full sail, and to the left tiny promontories with forts thereon; around the ship is the inscription NEC ◆ META ◆ MIHI ◆ QVÆ ◆ TERMINVS ◆ ORBI. A smaller medal, probably for naval service, was likewise issued with the same inscription. It was not, however, a small replica of the medal just described, although it bore the same effigy of King Charles I on the obverse, and a ship in full sail on the reverse, for the actual design and modelling differ.
Commonwealth Naval Medals.—Although I have stated that the Dunbar medal was the first campaign medal to be distributed to military officers and men of all ranks, the Navy holds the distinction of being the first to be honoured in this way, for in June 1649 it was decided to issue rewards to the officers and men who had "done good service at sea." The medal, designed by Thomas Simon, has on the obverse the Parliament in session, and on the reverse two distinctive cartouches, depending from the stock of an anchor. The one to the left bears the St. George's Cross for England, and that on the right the Harp for Ireland; a rope attached to the anchor is disposed so as to form a decorative surrounding by the arrangement of three twists; above is the word MERUISTI. On the stock of the anchor are the medallist's initials T. S. An order of the Council of State records that Simon was granted the use of the press in the Tower of London on condition that he did not use it for any other purpose than that of striking these medals, and he had to enter into a surety for £500 that he would "make no unlawful use of the presse."
Wyard Medal.—Robert Wyard of the "Adventure," with 22 guns, was on the night of July 31st, 1650, bold enough to engage six royalist frigates, and after fighting a whole day made them sheer off. Wyard received a gold medal, which I illustrate, valued at £50, and his officers and men medals varying in value from £5 to 10s. The obverse of the medal is as that above described. The reverse shows the "Adventure" engaging two of the royalist frigates with the other ships in the distance. Above is the inscription SERVICE ◆ DON ◆ AGAINST ◆ SIX ◆ SHIPS ◆ IVLY ◆ Y ◆ XXXI ◆ & AVGVST ◆ Y ◆ 1 ◆ 1650. The medal is oval, 1·6 in. by 1·35 in., and was struck in gold and silver. (See facing page [270].)
THE DUTCH WARS
For the victories over the Dutch some fine medals were struck. Probably the most interesting is the gold medal awarded to the Admirals who participated in the war and in the decisive battle fought on July 31st, 1653.
On February 28th, 1653, Generals Blake, Deane, and Monk defeated the Dutch fleet under Admirals Van Tromp and De Rutzer, and after a three-days' fight defeated them off Portland. In this engagement soldiers served for the first time on board ship, and the Marines came into existence. At the beginning of June the Dutch admirals were again defeated by the English Generals Deane, Penn, and Monk; but although the English did not lose a ship, General Deane was killed in the action. The English then followed the Dutch to their own coasts, and on July 31st the enemy was badly beaten after a terrific fight in which they lost 26 ships, their Admiral, Van Tromp, and about 6,000 men. The English losses were 2 ships and 1,300 men killed and wounded. The English Parliament was not slow to reward the victors, for on August 8th it was resolved to award Generals Blake and Monk gold chains valued at £300 apiece; to Vice-Admiral Penn and Rear-Admiral Lawson chains of the value of £100, and to the four staff officers chains worth £40 each for their brilliant services. The money was ordered to be deducted from the £2,000 voted, and the balance spent in the issue of medals among the officers of the fleet.
Types of Medal.—Four types of medal were issued. One with a broad border of naval trophies having on the obverse to left and right cartouches bearing the Arms of Holland and Zealand, and on the reverse in place thereof side drums. The obverse bears an anchor from the stock of which are suspended three elaborate shields bearing St. George's Cross, St. Andrew's Cross, the Irish Harp, and "the Armes of the Com̃on wealth." A cable attached to the anchor encircles the whole in a decorative manner. On the reverse is depicted a naval battle; a ship sinking in the foreground has on the stern the medallist's surname, and on the prow of another is T.S., while on the lower wing of the anchor on the obverse is the monogram T.S., so that Thomas Simon made quite sure that we should know who was responsible for the medal, which, with the elaborate border, is 2·2 in. by 2 in. with a ring for suspension. Three of the larger medals are known to be in existence. The medal given to the four staff officers was 2 in. by 1·8 in., and the obverse and reverse are the same; but the border on both sides is of laurel as the one illustrated. One of these medals, presented to Captain William Haddock, who commanded the "America," was purchased by Messrs. Spink at auction for £430 in May 1908; it had realised £105 in 1879.
Gold Medals for Officers.—Gold medals with a plain border, but with the same obverse and reverse as those described, were given to officers of the fleet; and I might here remark that if a copy of this rare medal comes under the notice of collectors, they should look for the surname and initials, which forgers have generally overlooked.