Post-Medieval — 17th century; 1655
Subservience of France & Spain
Commonwealth medal depicting the Subservience of France and Spain, 1655. Oliver Cromwell tried to avoid confrontation with France and Spain, the two rival powers of Europe. Both nations tried to out-manoeuvre each other in their efforts to secure an alliance with England. This medal mocks the French and Spanish ambassadors in their eagerness to deal with Cromwell, who is also shown disrespectfully with his head in Britannia’s lap and revealing his naked buttocks. This medal was struck in Holland with a view to ridiculing the abject court paid to Cromwell by France and Spain, who both sent ambassadors to sue for his alliance.
Obverse: Bust of Cromwell, to left, laureate, in plain falling collar and armour with the legend: OLIVAR D G RP ANG SCO HIBERNIAE PROTECTOR. The reverse depicts Britannia seated, left, Cromwell kneeling with his head in her lap, bare buttocks; the French and Spanish Ambassadors contending for the first salute. The legend reads: ‘RETIRE TOY L'HONNEUR APPARTIET AV ROY MON MAISTER LOVIS LE GRAND (meaning ‘Withdraw, the honour belongs to the King my master, Louis the Great’).
- Category:
- Post-Medieval
- Object ID:
- A12370
- Object name:
- Subservience of France & Spain
- Object type:
- Artist/Maker:
- —
- Related people:
- Related events:
- Related places:
- Production date:
- 17th century; 1655
- Material:
silver
- Measurements/duration:
- DM 41 mm, WT 42.90 g, DM 47 mm, WT 42.90 g (overall)
- Part of:
- —
- On display:
- —
- Record quality:
- 100%
- Part of this object:
- —
- Owner Status & Credit:
Permanent collection
- Copyright holder:
digital image © London Museum
- Image credit:
- —
- Creative commons usage:
- —
- License this image:
To license this image for commercial use, please contact the London Museum Picture Library.