Stock No. 2691	French fleet defeated off Toulon, 1744
Interesting brass medal referring to the defeat of the united French and Spanish fleet by the English in 11/22 February 1744. Pierced. Obverse: A human body hanging from gallows; beyond, a naval engagement, one small ship in flames. The different objects are indicated by the letters A. B. C. D. Exergue: 1743/4. Reverse: Troops drawn up in front of a fortified town on the coast, to which ships are advancing. In the foreground are other troops and a lion demolishing a cock. Indicative letters, E. F. G. H. I. See "Medallic Illustrations" vol.II, page 584, no.224.

Condition :-Nearly extremely fine
Circa :- 1744
Size :- 1.5 inches (38 mm) diameter
There is a great deal of action on both sides of this medal and although the medal is rather lightly struck, all the details are perfectly visible to the naked eye. In 1744, while armaments for the invasion of England were being prepared in Dunkirk and Brest, another fleet consisting of French and Spanish ships sailed out of Toulon to attack the English fleet which was commanded by Mathews and Lostock. After a severe engagement, the French and Spanish were compelled to flee. However, due to the private enmity between the two English commanders, the pursuit of the enemy was abandoned and the fruit of a victory was lost. Both commanders were impeached for their conduct. Lostock was acquitted but Mathews was dismissed from the service. According to "Medallic Illustrations", the obverse of this medal refers to the naval action off Toulon and the suspended culprit to one of the naval commanders, Mathews or Lostock, being the punishment merited for their crime. The reverse may refer to the attempted invasion of England by France. There was no doubt a printed description published at the time the medal was issued, explaining to what the letters refer but this has not yet come to light.

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