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Auction 22007 18 Oct 2022
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James II and Mary, The Birth of Prince James, AR Medal, 1688, by G. Bower, • IACOBVS • II • D G • MAG • BRI • FRAN • ET • HIB • REX •, laureate, armoured and draped bust right, rev. • MARIA • D G • MAG • BRI • FRAN • ET • HIB • REGINA • 1688, draped bust left, plain edge, 52mm, 52.75g (Eimer -; MI 627/45; Harding 7 this medal), small edge bruise to reverse at 6 o'clock, otherwise with dark grey surfaces and an attractive lustre, good extremely fine and of the highest rarity, only one other traced by this cataloguer in modern commerce.
The birth was a pivotal event in the history of the late Seventeenth century because it ensured a secure, Catholic succession to the British throne, against the aspirations of the Protestant majority. No fewer than 67 courtiers, Privy Councillors and their wives attended and witnessed the birth of Prince James. After the delivery the doctor was knighted at the bedside and the midwife received a purse of 500 guineas, a large sum in seventeenth century Britain. But James II had been careless. The Archbishop of Canterbury, normally the chief witness, had already been incarcerated in the Tower. The Protestant daughters of James II were away from London, Princess Anne in Bath, Princess Mary, wife of William of Orange, in Holland. No invitation was extended to the Dutch Ambassador. In a climate which was riven with suspicion, these omissions were important. James' wife at 29 years of age was supposed by some to be past child bearing age, and this, together with the lack of significant witnesses was enough to encourage scurrilous rumours. It was thought that the baby might be the son of a miller or a bricklayer and an attempt was even made to suggest that the child was sired by Father Petrie, James' confessor.
Estimate: £2000 - £3000
The birth was a pivotal event in the history of the late Seventeenth century because it ensured a secure, Catholic succession to the British throne, against the aspirations of the Protestant majority. No fewer than 67 courtiers, Privy Councillors and their wives attended and witnessed the birth of Prince James. After the delivery the doctor was knighted at the bedside and the midwife received a purse of 500 guineas, a large sum in seventeenth century Britain. But James II had been careless. The Archbishop of Canterbury, normally the chief witness, had already been incarcerated in the Tower. The Protestant daughters of James II were away from London, Princess Anne in Bath, Princess Mary, wife of William of Orange, in Holland. No invitation was extended to the Dutch Ambassador. In a climate which was riven with suspicion, these omissions were important. James' wife at 29 years of age was supposed by some to be past child bearing age, and this, together with the lack of significant witnesses was enough to encourage scurrilous rumours. It was thought that the baby might be the son of a miller or a bricklayer and an attempt was even made to suggest that the child was sired by Father Petrie, James' confessor.
Estimate: £2000 - £3000