DUTCH DEFEAT OF THE SPANISH ARMADA MEDAL

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V27 2024 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 27, Number 2, January 14, 2024, Article 7

Here is a description from a CNG sale:

TUDOR. temp. Elizabeth I. 1558-1603. AR Medal (51mm, 40.70 g, 12h). Defeat of the Spanish Armada. By G. van Bijlaer. Dated 1588. + FLAVIT × × ET × DISSIPATI × SVNT × 1588 ( God blew, and they (the Spanish fleet) were scattered ), large fleet of ships under sail right, being dispersed; above, name of God in Hebrew within rayed clouds / (castle) × ALLIDOR × NON × LÆDOR × ( I may be assailed, but not injured ), church set upon rocky island, being buffeted by heavy winds and waves; below, crowned coat-of-arms of Maurice. MI 145/112; Eimer 57; van Loon I, p. 392. VF, toned, removed from mount. Very rare. Ex Classical Numismatic Review XX.2 (Summer 1995), no. 945. As the destruction of the Spanish Armada consisted largely of a violent storm upon the seas, divine intervention is duly acknowledged upon the obverse of this medal. Since the armada was drawn chiefly against Elizabeth, the principal head of the Anglican Church, its cause was viewed as an attack upon the Church itself and is clearly represented on the reverse.

Curator's comments

Medallic Illustrations 1, published in 1885, states: This piece was struck at Middleburg, in Holland, the symbol of that place being a castle, and not in England, as Addison supposes, when he eulogizes Elizabeth for the good spirit of the device; for, though he has slightly erred in the description, this is the medal he refers to, Spectator, No. 293. The destruction of the Spanish Armada was occasioned, in great measure, by a violent storm; and the interference of Providence is duly acknowledged upon the obverse. As the armament had been prepared against Elizabeth, the chief head and champion of the Protestant cause, it was deemed an attack upon that Church. The arms of Prince Maurice being introduced, it is probable that the medal was struck by his orders.

See Pinkerton, J., ‘The Medallic History of England to the Revolution', London, 1790 (fol.), ix. 1; Van Loon, Gerard, ‘Histoire Métallique des XVII. Provinces des Pays-Bas', 5 vol. La Haye, 1732-1837 (fol) [There is also an edition in Dutch, but with different paging], I. 386. 1; Bizot, Pierre, ‘Histoire Métallique de la République de Hollande', Paris, 1687 (new ed., 2 vol. Amsterdam, 1688, and Supl., 1690), p. 59.