DEATH OF FRIEDRICH SCHOMBERG IN THE BATTLE OF THE BOYNE

Müller, Philipp Heinrich: Germany, 1690, Silver , 49 mm
Obv: Bust of Field Marshal Schomberg    FRIDERICUS MARESCHALCUS SCHOMBERG
Rev: Schomberg in Roman attire rests on shield, ornamented with the Christian monogram. Like Hercules, Schomberg plants his club, which takes root and flourishes as an olive tree; a coronet and cornucopia with money lie neglected on the ground; a snake bites in vain at his shield. Behind him rises a pyramid, against which rests a laurel branch bearing the shields of France, Germany, Scotland, Spain, and Ireland, the scenes of his career.    PLANTAVIT UBIQUE FERACEM (He Has Planted a Fruitful Club Everywhere)
Exergue:  CONTINVATIS TRIVMPHIS ORDVRATA IN DEVM FIDE IN HIBER. MILITANTI. 1690 (To Him Who Served in Ireland with Continued Success and with Enduring Trust in God)
Edge:  PRO RELIGIONE ET LIBERTATE MORI, VIVERE EST. (To Die for Religion and Liberty Is to Live)  F.K. (Friedrich Kleinert)
Signed:  P.H.M.
Ref: Ml i, 717/139 (Rare); Van Loon IV 9; Forster 669;  Europese Penningen # 1968;  Eimer 68/329;  Harding 17;  Weiss BW179

Friedrich Hermann Schomberg (1615-1690), Duke of Schomberg, marshal of France and English general, was born in Heidelberg, Germany. He began his military career serving under Frederick Henry, prince of Orange. Thereafter, he served in the Swedish service, with France, with the Dutch army, and then back with the French service. The revocation of the edict of Nantes (1685) compelled Schomberg, a Protestant, to leave France, and he became general in chief of the forces of the elector of Brandenburg, where he was the acknowledged leader of the Huguenot refugees. In 1688, he joined the prince of Orange on his expedition to England, and the next year he commanded the expedition to Ireland against James II. In 1690 at the battle of the Boyne, the subject of this medal, Schomberg advised William III not to cross the river in face of the opposing army, advice which, unfortunately for Schomberg, was not heeded. In the battle he fought valiantly but was either accidently killed by a discharge from his own men or by Irish horseman. Schomberg is represented here as Hercules, who at the conclusion of his labors, planted his club and dedicated it to Mercury. The club was transformed into an olive tree, the branches of which are emblematical of a termination of warfare.

LINK to the Battle of the Boyne (from Irelandseye)

LINK to Biography of Friedrich Schomberg (from wikipedia)

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