The highest rewards in all ages and nations have invariably been
bestowed upon deeds of valour and martial daring; and no renown has
generally been considered equal to that honorably gained by Arms in face
of an enemy. The most noble families are proud to trace their descent
from some celebrated warrior, and any distinction or trophy won by him
is usually more treasured and prized than any other dignity or mark of
honour. The custom of striking medals to commemorate victories,
important events, or in honour of remarkable persons or deeds, dates
from the times of the Greeks and Romans; but only in modern times have
medals been issued as a reward of martial services, and worn as personal
decorations.
Gold chains and medals were frequently bestowed by Princes in the XV.
and XVI. centuries on Ambassadors, and others whom they wished to
honour, and these marks of favor were certainly intended to be worn by
the recipients; Queen Elizabeth[1] gave medals for naval achievements;
but not until the next century can instances be found of such rewards
being conferred for distinguished services in the field. Probably the
earliest Medal in existence struck by, or for an Englishman, is a war
medal dated 1480, of large size, and in the early Italian style. On the
obverse is a head with “JO KENDAL RHODI. TURCUPELLARIUS,” and on the
reverse the arms of Kendal, with the inscription “TEMPORE OBSIDIONIS
TURCORUM, MCCCCLXXX.” The first medals given in England for Military
services were struck by order of Charles I., by a warrant dated from the
Court at Oxford, May 18th. 1643; to reward such soldiers as
distinguished themselves in forlorn hopes. The warrant was issued to the
Wardens of the Mint:—
“CHARLES R.,
“Trusty and well-beloved, we greet you well: whereas we have received
information that those soldiers which have been forward to serve us in
the Forlorn-hope, are not looked upon according to their merited
valour and loyal service. We do therefore require, that from
henceforward, the Commander-in-Chief, both of Horse and Foot, which
lead up the Forlorn-hope, upon whom also we mean to bestow special
tokens of our princely favour, do signify in writing the names of
those soldiers whom they find most forward in serving us, their King
and country, that care may be taken to reward their deservings, and
make them specially known to all our good subjects. For which end we
have thought fit to require Sir William Parkhurst, Kt., and Thomas
Bushell, Esq., Wardens of our Mint, to provide from time to time
certain Badges of Silver, containing our Royal image, and that of our
dearest son, Prince Charles, to be delivered to wear on the breast of
every man who shall be certified under the hands of their
Commander-in-Chief to have done us faithful service in the
Forlorn-hope.
“And we do therefore, most straightly command, that no soldier at any
time do sell, nor any of our subjects presume to buy, or wear, any of
these said Badges, other than they to whom we shall give the same, and
that under such pain and punishment as our Council of War shall think
fit to inflict, if any shall presume to offend against this our Royal
command. And we further require the said Commanders and Wardens of our
Mint, to keep several Registers of the names of those, and of their
country, for whom they shall give their certificate. Given at our
Court at Oxford the 18th. day of May, 1643.”
These Medals had the effigy of the King on one side, and of Prince
Charles on the other.
On Sunday, October 23rd., 1642, was fought the battle of Edgehill, in
which Robert Welsh or Walsh, an Irish gentleman, who commanded a troop
of horse, succeeded in recovering from the Parliamentary forces, the
standard of the King’s own regiment, taken by them, and also captured
two pieces of cannon, and a waggon belonging to the Earl of Essex. The
following morning, the king, upon the top of Edgehill, knighted Mr.
Walsh, who was presented to him with these trophies by Prince Rupert;
and on the 1st. of June, 1643, a gold medal was ordered for this
officer, the obverse to bear the royal figure and his son Prince
Charles, the reverse to have the royal banner used in the above battle,
to be inscribed “PER REGALE MANDATUM CAROLI REGIS HOC ASSIGNATUR ROBERTO
WELCH MILITI.” Sir Harris Nicolas states that a copy of the warrant,
with a drawing of the medal, which is oval, having on one side the
effigies of the king and of Prince Charles, inscribed CAR. REX. M. B. F.
ET H. CAR. PRINCEPS; and on the reverse the royal standard, in bend
sinister, inscribed “PER REGALE MANDATV’ CAROLI REGIS HOC ASSIGNATUR
ROB: WELCH MILITI,” was recorded in the College of Arms, on the 14th. of
August, 1685. This medal was worn on the breast, as appears by the
knight’s own narrative, printed for himself in 1679. The long parliament
passed an act in 1649, enacting that the tenth of all prizes due to the
Lord High Admiral, should be appropriated for medals or other rewards
for eminent service at sea, which ordinance was repeated in the
succeeding year.[2]
After the defeat of the Scots at Dunbar, by Cromwell, on the 3rd. of
September, 1650, the House of Commons “ordered that it be referred to
the committee of the army, to consider what medals may be prepared for
officers and soldiers, that were in this service in Scotland, and set
the proportions and the values of them, and their number, and present
the estimate of them to the House.” The house voted that the officers
and men “which did this excellent service” should be presented with gold
and silver medals. Simon, an eminent engraver of that day, was sent to
Cromwell, to consult with him as to the device for this medal. Dr.
Harris, in the appendix to his “Historical and Critical Account of
Oliver Cromwell,” page 538, has printed an original letter of Cromwell’s
to the parliament (then in the possession of James Lamb, Esq., of
Fairford, in Gloucestershire, and subsequently of John Raymond Barker,
of the same place), on Symond’s (Simon) proceeding as above stated. The
letter is highly characteristic, and is as follows.—
“For ye Honble the Committee for the Army, these.
“Gentl.,—It was not a little wonder to me to see that you should send
Mr. Symonds so great a journey about a business importinge so little,
as far as it relates to me when, as if my poore opinion may not be
rejected by you, I have to offer to that wch I thinke the most noble
end, to witt, the commemoracon of that great mercie at Dunbar, and the
gratuitie to the army, wch might better be expressed upon the meddal
by engraving as on the one side the Parliamt, wch I heare was
intended, and will do singularly well; so, on the other side, an army
wth this inscription over the head of it, The Lord of Hosts, wch was
or word that day: wherefore, if I may begg it as a favor from you, I
most earnestly beseech you, if I may do it wth out offence, that it
may be soe; and if you thinke not fitt to have it as I offer, you may
alter it as you see cause, only I doe thinke I may truely say it will
be verie thankfully acknowledged by me, if you will spare the having
my effigies in it.
“The gentlemans paynes and trouble hither have been verie great, and I
shall make it my seconde suite unto you that you will please to
conferr upon him that imploymt in yr service wch Nicholas Briott had
before him; indeed, the man is ingenious and worthie of encouragemt. I
may not presume much, but if at my request and for my sake he may
obteyne this favor, I shall put it upon the accompt of my obligacons,
wch are not a few, and I hope shal be found readie gratefully to
acknowledge and to approve myself, Gentl.,
“Yor most reall servant,
“Edinburgh, 4th. of Feb., 1650–1.” “O. CROMWELL.”
Cromwell’s modesty was over-ruled, and the medal bears his bust. On the
obverse is the head of Cromwell, profile; under the shoulder, Tho: Simon
F.; the motto about the head, WORD AT DUNBAR,—THE LORD OF HOSTS,—SEPTEM
YE 3, 1650; behind the head a prospect of the battle. The reverse has
the House of Commons sitting, as represented on the Parliament Great
Seal, 1648, and also on that of the Commonwealth, 1651. It is remarkable
also for Cromwell’s likeness when Lieutenant-General. This is engraved
in “The Medallick History of England,” and in “Simon’s Medals and
Coins.” The Dunbar Medal is of two sizes,[3] and is the first given
generally to officers and men, as is the present practice, and no
instance occurred of a general distribution of medals by the Sovereign’s
command until that for Waterloo was authorised.[4]
[Illustration: Illustration with two oval panels connected side-by-side.
Left panel shows a profile portrait labeled “The Lord of Hosts,”
identified as Oliver Cromwell, with the date September 1650. Right panel
shows a large parliamentary or assembly hall filled with seated figures
facing a central speaker.]
In the two works immediately referred to there are engravings of several
medals, probably worn by officers and soldiers as honorary badges; some
contain the effigy of King Charles the First or Prince Rupert, or Sir
Thomas Fairfax or his son, or the Earls of Essex, Manchester, or
Dumferline, General Rossiter, or of other Parliamentary commanders; on
the reverse were their names or arms, or a representation of the
Parliament, or the words MERUISTI, or PRO RELIGIONE LEGE ET PARLIAMENTO,
or FOR KING AND PARLIAMENT. It now seems impossible to discover the
precise history of these medals. The victory of Naseby, on the 14th. of
June, 1645, was commemorated by a silver-gilt medal, with a ring: on one
side was the effigy of Sir Thomas Fairfax, inscribed, THO: FAIRFAX MILES
MILIT. PARL. DUX. GEN.; the reverse bore MERUISTI, within a circle, and
POST HÆC MELIORA, 1645. The Parliamentary medal, which was distinct from
the naval medal, before adverted to, cannot be described with certainty;
but it is supposed to have had the effigies of the victorious generals
on one side, and the Parliament on the other. It appears to have been
instituted soon after that for Dunbar, as the House of Commons conferred
it on Colonel Mackworth, by resolution dated the 27th. of August, 1651,
with a chain of gold to the value of one hundred pounds. This officer
was governor of Shrewsbury, and his service consisted in refusing to
surrender the castle and garrison when summoned by the forces of the
royalists.
With these exceptions the medals of the Commonwealth era appear to have
been given for naval services against the Dutch, such distinctions being
granted to Generals Blake and Monk, Vice-Admiral Penn, and Rear-Admiral
Lawson, and certain officers of the fleet. Blake’s medal for the victory
over the Dutch fleet off the Texel, in 1653, was purchased by William
the Fourth for one hundred and fifty guineas. At this period the
position of these officers was scarcely defined, for at times they
appear to have fought on land as well as at sea.[5]
The medals of succeeding reigns appear to have been confined to naval
services: although medals were struck in commemoration of the victories
of the great Duke of Marlborough, it is certain that they were not worn
by either officers or soldiers.
After the battle of Culloden, on the 16th. of April, 1746, a gold medal
was struck, having on the obverse, the head of the Duke of Cumberland;
the reverse had a figure of Apollo, and a dragon pierced by an arrow,
inscribed, ACTUM EST ILICET PERIT, and in the exergue, PRÆL. Colod. AP.
xvi., MDCCXLVI. This medal was given to officers who commanded regiments
at the battle, and was worn round the neck by a crimson ribbon with a
green border.
The medals granted by the HONOURABLE EAST INDIA COMPANY[6] are next in
order of time.
A medal was issued to Officers and men, by the East India Company, for
the Campaigns in the Deccan, against Hyder Ali and his son Tippoo Sahib,
1780–84. This medal was granted by an order in Council, January 19th.,
1784, and was in gold, silver, and inferior metal. Obverse, Britannia,
seated upon a trophy of Arms, holding a wreath in her outstretched hand
towards a fortress in the distance. Reverse, an inscription in Persian,
which may thus be translated: “The courage and exertions of those
valiant men by whom the name of Englishmen has been celebrated and
exalted from Hindostan to the Deccan, having been established throughout
the world, this has been granted by the Government of Calcutta, in
commemoration of the excellent services of the brave. Year of the
Hegira, 1199,” _i.e._, 1784. Within a circle is the following legend,
also in Persian: “As coins are current in the world, so shall the
bravery and exploits of those heroes by whom the names of the victorious
English nation was carried from Bengal to the Deccan.” Suspended from a
yellow cord.
In 1793, June 4th., by an order in Council, the East India Company
granted a medal to the Officers and men under Lord Cornwallis, General
Meadows, and General Abercromby, engaged in the war in Mysore, 1791–92,
against Tippoo Sahib. The medal was issued in gold, silver, etc., as the
Deccan Medal. Obverse, a Sepoy in the Military costume of the time,
holding the British flag in his right hand, in his left the Mysore
banner reversed, in the background a view of Seringapatam. Reverse,
within a wreath, “For services in the Mysore, 1791–1792”; surrounded by
a Persian inscription, “A token of the bravery of the troops of the
English Government in the war in the Mysore, in the year of the Hegira,
1205–1206.”
There were two sizes of this medal in silver, and it was worn suspended
from a yellow silk cord.
One of the most dashing exploits in the war of Mysore was the capture of
Bangalore, the second city in the dominions of Tippoo. It was enclosed
by a high wall and a deep ditch, and the gate was covered by a close
thicket of Indian thorns. The attack was made without any examination of
the ground, and the troops in advancing and endeavouring to force an
entrance, were exposed to a destructive fire of musketry. Colonel
Moorhouse, one of the best officers in the service, fell mortally
wounded. At length Lieutenant Ayre, a man of diminutive stature,
succeeded in forcing his way through the shattered gate; which gallant
action, being observed by General Meadows, he shouted to the stormers,
“Well done! now whiskers, try if you can follow and support the little
gentleman.” This animated appeal succeeded, the troops rushed through
the gate into the town, and drove out the enemy at the point of the
bayonet.
By an order in Council, Fort William, May 15th. 1807, a medal was
granted to the troops engaged in the capture of Ceylon from the Dutch,
1795–96. Obverse, “For services in the Island of Ceylon, A.D. 1795–96.”
Reverse, an inscription in Persian, “This medal was given by way of
acknowledgement of services in Ceylon, in the year of the Hegira,
1209–1210,” suspended from a yellow silk cord. (_Seringapatam Medal, see
post_).
A medal for services in Egypt was granted by general order, July 31st.,
1802. In 1801, General Sir David Baird was dispatched from India in
command of a force of 2,800 British troops, 2,000 Sepoys, and 400 picked
artillerymen, to Egypt, to join the army under Sir Ralph Abercromby,
landed them from England, to act against the French. Sir David was
joined on the 17th. of May, at Jeddah, in the Red Sea, by an expedition
from the Cape of Good Hope, consisting of the 61st. Regiment, some light
cavalry and artillery, and on June 8th. landed at Cossier. (_See
Egyptian Campaign, post_). Obverse, a Sepoy holding a Union Jack in his
right hand, in rear, a camp, with an inscription in Persian: “This medal
has been presented in commemoration of the defeat of the French armies
in the Kingdom of Egypt, by the bravery and ability of the victorious
army of England.” Reverse, a ship in full sail, with the Union Jack
flying; pyramids and obelisk in the back ground. In the exergue, the
date, 1801. Worn as the preceding.
In 1850 a clasp was added to this medal, which was sanctioned by the
Queen in 1848.
In July, 1810, a small Anglo-Indian force, under the command of Colonel
Keating, with a squadron of ships of the Royal Navy, under Commodore
Rowley, captured the Isle of Bourbon from the French.
On the 29th. of November of the same year, an army of about 10,000 men
from India, commanded by General J. Abercromby, assisted by a squadron
of ships, under the command of Vice-Admiral Bertie, landed in the Isle
of France, and after a smart action, in which the French were defeated,
General Decaen, the French Governor, proposed terms of capitulation, and
on December 3rd., surrendered the Island to Great Britain. Two hundred
and nine pieces of heavy ordnance, with ample stores of ammunition, five
French frigates, and a corvette, with twenty-four merchant ships, were
captured. From that time, the Isle of France, henceforth known by its
older name of Mauritius, has remained a dependency of the British crown.
For these services a medal was granted, by general order, dated, Fort
William, September 10th., 1811. Obverse, a Sepoy holding the Union Jack,
trampling on the French colours and Eagle; by his side a gun; in the
back ground, ships at anchor. Reverse, within a wreath a Persian
inscription: “This medal was conferred in commemoration of the bravery
and accustomed fidelity exhibited by the Sepoys of the English company
in the capture of the Mauritius Islands, in the year of the Hegira,
1223.” Round the wreath, “RODRIGUES, 6th. July, MDCCCIX. BOURBON, 8th.
July, and ISLE OF FRANCE, 3rd. December, MDCCCX.” The medal is worn as
the preceding.
Her Majesty’s 69th. and 86th. Regiments were engaged in this service.
By a general order, February 11th., 1812, a medal was conferred on the
troops, numbering about 12,000, engaged in the reduction of Java, under
the command of General Sir S. Auchmuty. (_See capture of Java, post_).
Obverse, Sepoys carrying Fort Cornelis; on the flag-staff is the British
flag over the Dutch, above, the word CORNELIS. Reverse, a Persian
inscription: “This medal was given in commemoration of the valour and
courage displayed by the Sepoys of the East India Company, in the
capture of Java, in the year of the Hegira, 1228.” The legend is in
English, “Java, conquered, 26th. August, MDCCCXI.” Worn as the
preceding.
Her Majesty’s 14th., 59th., 69th., 78th., and 89th. Regiments of foot
were present at the capture of Java.
A medal was granted by general order, March 20th., 1816, for the two
campaigns in Nepaul, 1814–16, under Generals Marley, Wood, Gillespie
(who was killed), and Ochterlony. Obverse, troops marching across hills
crowned with stockades; on the left, a field gun. Reverse, inscription
in Persian: “This medal was given by the Nawab Governor-General Bahadur,
in testimony of the energy, good service, skill, and intrepidity which
were displayed during the campaigns on the hills, in the year of the
Hegira, 1229–1230.”
Worn as the preceding. A clasp for Nepaul was granted with the “Army of
India” Medal in 1851. (_See War in Nepaul, post_).
In 1826, April 22nd., a medal was granted for the first Burmese War,
1824–26, troops commanded by Sir Archibald Campbell and General
Morrison. Obverse, the white Elephant of Burmah crouching to the British
Lion; the Burmese colours lowered to the Union Jack, palm-trees in the
back ground. A Persian inscription: “The Elephant Ava submitting to the
British Lion, 1826.” Reverse, a storming party advancing towards the
Great Pagoda of Rangoon, a steam-boat and boats on the river Irrawaddy;
Sir A. Campbell directing the movement in the foreground, under a
palm-tree. An inscription in Persian: “The Standard of the victorious
army of England in Ava.” This medal is by Wyon, and worn with a crimson
ribbon with blue edge. A clasp for “Ava,” was given with the “Army of
India” Medal in 1851. (_See War in Ava, post_).
[Illustration: