Beschreibung

Anne, 1702-1714. Silver Medal 1708, 35.15 g. Capture of the Citadel of Lille. Unsigned. Building of Tower of Babel, labourers distressed. CONFVNDAMVS . LINGVAM EORVM . VT NON AVDIAT VNVSQVISQVE VOCEM PROXIMI SVI. In exergue: RYSSEL VEL INSVLÆ PER PRINCIPEM EVGENIVM OB : SESSA 22 . AVG . ET . 23 . OCT . RECEPTA . 1708. Rv. Lille bombarded; above the sun and moon. SISTE SOL IN GIBEON ET IVNA IN VALLE AIALON. In exergue: CASTELLVM RYSEL OBSES : SVM XXVII OCT . RECEPTVM VERO IX DEC. Edge: VNITA VIRTVS VALET. 49.1 mm. Eimer -. MI ii 339/170. van Loon V, 119,4. Saunders/Vanhoudt 1708-41. Fast vorzüglich / About Extremely Fine. Feine Patina / Nicely toned.

The siege of Lille (12 August - 10 December 1708) was the main operation of the 1708 campaign season during the War of the Spanish Succession. Following their victory in the Battle of Oudenaarde, the Anglo-Dutch Allies decided to besiege Lille, an important French city and perhaps the strongest fortress in Europe.

The distress occasioned by the Confusion of Tongues was intended as a satire upon Vendome and the Duke of Burgundy, whose want of intelligence and co-operation with each other was most disastrous to the French, especially at Oudenarde and Lille. The Sun and Moon are France and her allies, who were compelled to be spectators and to stand still " until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies." The Sun, it will be recollected, was the badge of Louis XIV. The edge refers to the unanimity of action which existed between Marlborough and Eugene on this as on all other occasions of their combined command.