Medal, commemorative, 700 years of Mayoralty, Kirkwood & Son, 1889

Medal, bronze. Obv., within two conjoined and broken circles decorated with crockets are busts of 'Richard I 1189' and 'Victoria 1889'; above in a circle are seven entwined circles emblematic of seven centuries, whilst below within another circle is St. George of England slaying the dragon; round the border runs the legend in Gothic characters, 'To commemorate the 700th anniversary of the Mayoralty of the city of London, MDCCCLXXXIX.' Rev., St Michael handing the Sceptre, Chain, Sword and Shiedl of the new Mayorality to 'London' seated on a cornucopia, and already presented by him with he City Purse, keys and cap of Dignity, in honour of the office. St Michael stands wih his left foot resting on old london Bridge (of 1176) behind him, and right foot advanced. The Tower of London, dating from the 11th century lies between, connecting the past with the present. In the background are, the Crown, the source of all civic authority, the Dome of the Cathedral of St Paul's, the patron saint of London; the Towers of Westminster Abbey, Cleopatra's Needle on the Thames Embankment, Old Temple Bar, and the Mansion House, the official residence of the Lord Mayor. Above is the inscription, 'The poweres that be are ordained of God', and below, the dates 1189-1889, the two limits of the commemorated period. Signed by Alexander Kirkwood & Son, Edinburgh.

Given by the corporation of the City of London.

This bronze medal was struck to commemorate the 700th anniversary of the Mayoralty of the City of London, in 1889. On the obverse side within two conjoined and broken circles there are busts of Richard I and Queen Victoria with seven entwined circles emblematic of seven centuries above, and a figure of St. George slaying the Dragon below. On the reverse side, St Michael is shown handling the Sceptre, Chain, Sword and shield of the new Mayoralty to a figure representing 'London' seated on a cornucopia. Old London Bridge, the Dome of St Pauls, the Towers of Westminster, Cleopatra's Needle, old Temple Bar and the Mansion House are shown in the background. The medal was made by Alexander Kirkwood in Edinburgh.

650-1890