What happened this week, in 1692?
This week on 4th June, the British declared victory against the French and put a stop to the attempts of James II to regain the British throne.
The Battle of La Hogue reinforced the British rule of the joint monarchs, William and Mary, and stopped the final attempt of James II to reclaim the throne for himself.
Battle of La Hogue was a six-day naval engagement off the Normandy coast where British and Dutch allies fought against the French to protect the British monarchy from the threat of James II being restored to the throne. William and Mary had been joint monarchs for 3 years (since 1689) and Britain was determined to block any attempt of James II restoration as King and his catholic faith. The victory was symbolic as it put an end to the restoration attempts of James II to the English throne.
James II thought the Allies would be weaker as he assumed he had more support for his cause within the commanders of the British fleet.
James II had assumed that his victory would be more assured, and several British commanders were in favour of him being restored as the rightful King. He felt this would cause weakness in the British side that the French could take advantage of but there were no British defections.
There were various Medallions struck for this historic event to further emphasise the British and Dutch allied strength.
Several medallions were struck to commemorate this victory to further emphasise the power of the joint monarchy and send a message that the Jacobite cause was over. It is interesting to observe the different interpretations of the events by the three different engravers.
Dutch medallist and engraver, Jan Boskam
Jan Boskam, a Dutch medallist who produced many military medals during the late 17th century particularly focussed on the victories against the French and worked for William III during his reign as King of England.
His medal depicts a very detailed portrait of William III with his strong nose and long flowing hair.
The reverse shows the unicorn and lion representing the Allies, scaring away the cockerel of France. In the background the naval engagement shows ships engulfed in smoke and lilting to the side as they sink. The French lost 15 of their ships to the Allies losing two. This rare medal has been beautifully preserved and is in FDC condition. This large medallion measures 55 mm in diameter.
Discover our related product: 1692 Battle of La Hague - William III Historical Medallion by I Boskam
German medallist and engraver, George Hautsch
George Hautsch was a German medallist whose interpretation of the event in this rare medallion commemorate the commanders of the English and Dutch fleet and reiterate that the world is grateful for the destruction of the French fleet.
It is a detailed medal with many words all focussed on the strength of the Allies victory and those involved. On the rim of the medal he tells France (translated from Latin) “Speed your flight and show your King that the empire of the sea does not belong to him.”
Discover our related product: 1692 Battle of La Hogue Historical Medallion by G Hautsch
German medallist and engraver, P H Muller.
Philipp Heinrich Muller who designed the third version of Battle of La Hogue was German and became one of the most famous engravers of that time. He executed many historical medallions for the various rulers of countries across Europe including Great Britain.
His depiction of Battle of La Hogue has Neptune standing over Louis XIV with his trident raised and ready to strike. The reverse shows victory in the foreground with the sun setting in the background over shipwrecks.
Discover our related product: 1692 Battle of La Hogue Historical Medallion by P H Muller