Medal
1639 (dated)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
This medal depicts Charles I in 1639, at the outbreak of the Civil War. The obverse (front) shows the King wearing a cuirass and the Order of the Garter. Its Latin inscription translates as: 'Charles I by the Grace of God King of Great Britain France and Ireland'. The reverse shows a ship in full sail.
Historical Associations
The medal was issued at a time of political crisis in the English Channel, to assert Charles's sovereign authority over this strategically important zone. A disabled Spanish fleet transporting troops to the southern Netherlands took shelter in English waters from a Dutch fleet. Charles ordered his ships to protect the Spanish fleet, while attempting to extort political concessions from Spain through opportunistic negotiations.
People
Nicolas Briot was appointed Engraver-General of French coinage in 1606. Mismanagement and incompetence forced him to flee to England in 1625. He became engraver to the Royal Mint and in 1635 was made Master of the Scottish Mint. A staunch Royalist, he was imprisoned in the Tower during the Civil War.
Materials & Making
This medal was cast in silver after a wax model. A cast (probably in plaster) would have been taken from the original wax model, and this in turn would be used to make a mould that could then be used for further reproductions. Molten silver would be poured into the mould.
This medal depicts Charles I in 1639, at the outbreak of the Civil War. The obverse (front) shows the King wearing a cuirass and the Order of the Garter. Its Latin inscription translates as: 'Charles I by the Grace of God King of Great Britain France and Ireland'. The reverse shows a ship in full sail.
Historical Associations
The medal was issued at a time of political crisis in the English Channel, to assert Charles's sovereign authority over this strategically important zone. A disabled Spanish fleet transporting troops to the southern Netherlands took shelter in English waters from a Dutch fleet. Charles ordered his ships to protect the Spanish fleet, while attempting to extort political concessions from Spain through opportunistic negotiations.
People
Nicolas Briot was appointed Engraver-General of French coinage in 1606. Mismanagement and incompetence forced him to flee to England in 1625. He became engraver to the Royal Mint and in 1635 was made Master of the Scottish Mint. A staunch Royalist, he was imprisoned in the Tower during the Civil War.
Materials & Making
This medal was cast in silver after a wax model. A cast (probably in plaster) would have been taken from the original wax model, and this in turn would be used to make a mould that could then be used for further reproductions. Molten silver would be poured into the mould.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Cast silver |
| Brief description | Medal |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | The Latin inscription means 'Nor to me is that a limit, which is boundary to the world' |
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
Charles I inherited a collection of medals from his elder brother Prince Henry, who had died young. When he succeeded to the throne he issued medals in order to publicise his policies and to project his regal image, as on the other side of this medal (see photograph). This technically superb medal asserted the monarch's sovereign authority over the English Channel.(27/03/2003) |
| Object history | Cast in London by Nicolas Briot (born in France about 1579, died in London, 1646) |
| Production | Signed and dated 1639 |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Object Type This medal depicts Charles I in 1639, at the outbreak of the Civil War. The obverse (front) shows the King wearing a cuirass and the Order of the Garter. Its Latin inscription translates as: 'Charles I by the Grace of God King of Great Britain France and Ireland'. The reverse shows a ship in full sail. Historical Associations The medal was issued at a time of political crisis in the English Channel, to assert Charles's sovereign authority over this strategically important zone. A disabled Spanish fleet transporting troops to the southern Netherlands took shelter in English waters from a Dutch fleet. Charles ordered his ships to protect the Spanish fleet, while attempting to extort political concessions from Spain through opportunistic negotiations. People Nicolas Briot was appointed Engraver-General of French coinage in 1606. Mismanagement and incompetence forced him to flee to England in 1625. He became engraver to the Royal Mint and in 1635 was made Master of the Scottish Mint. A staunch Royalist, he was imprisoned in the Tower during the Civil War. Materials & Making This medal was cast in silver after a wax model. A cast (probably in plaster) would have been taken from the original wax model, and this in turn would be used to make a mould that could then be used for further reproductions. Molten silver would be poured into the mould. |
| Bibliographic reference | List of Works of Art acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum during the Year 1901 arranged according to the Dates of Acquisition. London: Her Majesty's Stationary Office. Wyman and Sons. 1904. pp.162 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 949-1901 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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