In "N. & Q.", (Vol. iv., p. 497.), S. H. alludes to the case of
Grandval, who was to attempt the life of King William, and likewise to
the plot to assassinate him four years afterwards. In my collection of
medals relating to English history, I have two silver medals struck to
commemorate these events. I beg to send you a description of them for
insertion, if you consider them of sufficient interest.
No. I.--Bust to the right; flowing hair and ample drapery: legend,
"WILHELMINUS III., D. G. MAG. BRIT. FRANC. ET HIB. REX." Reverse, a
monument, or pedestal, on the top of which is the naked body of
Grandval, and a man about to dissect it; on each side is a fire-pot, to
burn the entrails, and pikes, on which the head and four quarters are
stuck; between two pikes, on the right, is a gibbet. An inscription in
Latin is on the pedestal to this effect:
"Bartholomew de Grandval, a murderer, bribed by the money of
Louis, convicted of parricide, and suffered the most severe
punishment for having attempted to assassinate William III., King
of Great Britain; his head and quarters exposed to be a frightful
monument of his sacrilege, and of the perfidy of the French."