Description

James II. 1685-1688. Silver Medal 1688, 47.75 g. Landing of William of Orange at Torbay. By R. Arondeaux. William as a Roman emperor holds the arm of Britannia, standing beside her shield affixed to an orange-tree entwined with roses and thistles. DEO VIN DICE IUSTITIA COMITE. Below: R.A.F. Rv. Troops disembark from boats near a fortified harbour; large fleet on the horizon. CONTRA INFANTEM PERDITIONIS. In exergue: EXPEDITIO NAUALIS PRO LIBERTATE ANGLIÆ . MDCLXXXVIII. Plain edge. 49.4 mm. Eimer 298. MI i 639/65. van Loon II, 355,1. Saunders/Vanhoudt 1688-25. Vorzüglich / Extremely Fine. Tremolierstriche am Rand / Tremolier strokes on edge.

From the auction Spink USA 9800, New York, December 2001, lot 49.

The Landing of William of Orange at Torbay in 1688 was a pivotal event in British history, marking the beginning of the Glorious Revolution. This invasion led to the overthrow of King James II of England and VII of Scotland and the establishment of William III and Mary II as joint monarchs. The event is often seen as a turning point in the transition from absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy in Britain.

On 5 November 1688 (a date later celebrated in England as Bonfire Night), William's fleet entered the English Channel. After being blown off course by a storm, they landed at Brixham, near Torbay in Devon. According to legend, William stepped ashore and declared, "The liberties of England and the Protestant religion I will maintain." William's landing was met with widespread support, particularly in the Protestant strongholds of the West Country. Many of James II's officers and troops defected to William's side, and key cities such as Exeter welcomed him.

James was believed to have acted by the advice of Father Petre, his confessor, and the young Prince was reported to be the son of a miller. He is therefore represented with a small toy mill.