Historical and Commemorative Medals
Collection of Benjamin Weiss

 

MARRIAGE OF PRINCESS MARY TO WILLIAM OF ORANGE

BLUM, Johann: England, 1641, Silver, 72 mm
Obv: Standing figures of William and Mary, facing each other and joining hands, beneath rays emanating from dove of the Holy Ghost. Above each in clouds is a Cherub holding a wreath of myrtle. Scene with palace is in the distance. Albionum genuit Rex me summusque Monarcha Carolus, et Sponsam me Jubet esse Tuam. (Charles, King of Britain and most mighty monarch, is my father, and commands me to be your bride.) Princeps me Henricus genuit fortissimus heros Nasouiae, et Sponsum me Jubet esse tuum. (Prince Henry, the most valiant hero of Nassau, is my father, and commands me to be your bridegroom.)
Exergue: Londini desponsati Wilhelm’ et Marie, Ano 1641. 12 Maj. (William and Mary betrothed at London, 12 May, 1641.)
Rev: William in the form of Pallas, attended by an archangel with a sword, tramples upon Bellona, goddess of war, and receives an olive branch from Mary in the character of Peace, accompanied by Cupid and Ceres, goddess of Plenty. Bellonam Princeps Pallas Pedibus Terit et Pax Floret, et Alma Ceres, Confert Sacro Alite Fruges. (The prince as Pallas tramples Bellona under his feet, and Peace flourishes, and bountiful Ceres in her divine favor confers abundance.)
Exergue: Noui Imperii Auspicio Bono. (For the happy presage of a new empire.)
Signed: J. Blum Fe.
Ref: Eimer 137; MI i, 287/100; v. Loon II, 251; Scher 15;  Weiss BW817

This medal was struck in Holland to commemorate the marriage in 1641 of Mary Henrietta Stuart (1631–1660) to William II of Orange (1626-1650).

William II of Orange, the son of Frederick Henry, Prince of Orange, and his wife Amalia of Solms-Braunfels, was sovereign Prince of Orange and stadtholder of the United Provinces of the Netherlands from 1647 until his death three years later. In 1641, he married Princess Mary Henrietta Stuart, the eldest daughter of Charles I, King of England, Scotland and Ireland, and his wife Henrietta Maria of France.

In 1650, shortly after the death of William, Mary gave birth to their only offspring, a child who was also named William. In 1677, this child married his cousin Mary, daughter of James II.  During the Glorious Revolution of 1688, James II was deposed, and this couple became joint sovereigns over England, coronated as William and Mary. On her death in 1694, William would reign as William III of England and Ireland.

LINK to portrait of Betrothal of Princess Mary to William by Anthony van Dyck (wikimedia)

LINK to portrait of William II and Princess Mary (1647) by Gerard van Honthorst (wikipedia).

LINK to article: Weiss, B.: Medals of the Glorious Revolution: The Influence of Catholic-Protestant Antagonism, ANS Magazine, Vol. 13, Issue 1, pp. 6-23. American Numismatic Society, New York, 2014.

HOME PAGE