Stock No. 3112	Rare Charles I silver military reward medal - Earl of Essex. General
Rare Charles I oval silver medal. Cast and chased and with loops for suspension above and below. Obverse: Bust of the Earl of Essex nearly front face, in plain falling collar and armour and with scarf across his body. Reverse: Oval garnished shield of Essex, surmounted by a coronet. See "Medallic Illustrations" vol. 1, p.298/117 where this medal is considered to be "Rare".

Condition :-Extremely Fine and well toned
Circa :- 1642
Size :- 1.25 inches (31.75 mm) x 0.85 inches (21.59 mm)
Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex, was the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth I's favourite. Born in 1591, he commanded in the Netherlands and was considered a good general. When the Civil War broke out he was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the parliamentary forces. He was displaced in 1645 and died 14 September 1646. Although his army was fighting against the King, Essex declared "I do promise in the sight of Almighty God that I shall undertake nothing but what shall tend towards the advancement of the true Protestant Religion, the security of his Majesty's royal person, the maintenance of the just privileges of Parliament and the liberty and property of the subject." This medal, like others which are similar to it, is believed to have been issued to be given as a military reward to persons serving in Essex's army. Provenance of this medal: ex Hecket collection

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