Two Medals Concerning the Defeat of the Spanish Armada

902744.

Sold For $5750

TUDOR. temp. Elizabeth I. 1558-1603. AR Medal (51mm, 37.47 g, 12h). Defeat of the Spanish Armada. By G. van Bylaer. 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. Near EF, toned. A few minor field smoothing marks behind castle in field under the tone. Very rare.

Ex Symkens Collection; Elsen 41 (16 September 1995), lot 1253.

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.