Admiral in 1666, was chief in command of the Dutch squadron
of seventeen ships which sailed up the Medway and burnt the
ships at Chatham. For this service, and for the destruction of
the “ Royal Charles,” he was presented with a gold chain, to
which the above medal was attached. Yan Ghent was killed at
the battle of Solebay, in 1672. A similar medal, with chain,
was presented to Captain Yan Brakel, who was the first to pass
over the chain which was drawn across the river to impede the
passage of the Medway, and who destroyed the English frigate
“ Jonathan.” This last medal has not been met with.
176. P ea c e o f B r e d a . 1667.
Holland, facing, holding a sceptre, terminating in an open
eye, and a spear with her arrows attached, tramples upon
Discord; at her feet repose a lion and a lamb. In the distance
are seen ships in flames, and view of Breda. Leg. m it is e t
f o r t i s . (Mild and firm.) Ex. p r o c u l . h in o . mala . b e s t ia .
r e g n i s ! (Far hence from these kingdoms, thou pernicious
beast!) itjn : 2 2 . 1667. c . a . (Christopher Adolfszoon.)
Rev. Peace, facing, holding a sheathed sword with olive
wreath on the point, a cornucopia, and a caduceus, tramples
upon arms. A hand from heaven sustains a garland of fruit
and flowers, and the united shields of Great Britain and
Holland. Merchant vessels fill the background, and across the
field is a band inscribed, ir a to b e l l u m plaoato n um in e pax
e s t . (War from an angry, peace from an appeased, divinity.)
Ex. REDIIT . CONCORDIA . MATER . BRED® . IUL . 81 . A0. 1667.
(Maternal Concord has returned at Breda, 81 July, 1667.)
Shield of Breda.
Edge, ntjmisma . p o s t e r it a t i . sacrum . b e l g a . b r it a n -
NOQUE . RECONCILIATIS . CUM . PRIVIL : ORDIN : HOLLAND : ET .
w e s t : (Medal dedicated to Posterity. The Dutch and British
reconciled. By permission of the States of Holland and West
Friesland.)
2'8. Van Loon, II. 584. Bizot, p. 265.
MB. At. Bibl. Paris, At. Hague, N . Gotha, At.
St. Petersburg, At. Rare.
This medal was struck in Holland.
England and Holland, both tired of war, concluded a peace at
Breda, 81 July [N. S.], 1667. The device of the medal presents
the usual allusions. Peace tramples upon arms; Holland
tramples upon Discord; but with these there was more serious
matter. The burning ships in the distance allude to the burning
of the English ships at Chatham, 13 June [0. S.], 1667.
The allusion to this attack upon a medal, struck by authority of
the States upon the establishment of peace, as well as the
motto “ mala b e s t ia , ” which was applied by the evil-disposed
to Charles himself, gave great offence. Official remonstrances
were made to the Dutch government, a formal apology offered,
the insult was disclaimed, and the dies were destroyed. The
wound, however, rankled, and the medal was one of the stated
grounds of offence in the declaration of war in 1672. Brandt,
in his life of Michael De Ruyter, states that 1,000 ducatons
were paid to the artist on the dies being destroyed.
177. P ea c e o f B r e d a . 1667.
A lion, sporting amongst arms and cannon, near the sea
covered with shipping. Below, l e o batavus. (The Dutch
Lion.) Leg. Chronogrammatic. sIC f I n e s n o str o s , L e g e s
tV taM V r , e t V nD a s . (Thus we defend our frontiers, our laws,
and our seas, mdclvwii.=1667.) On left, 0 j l jC, in cypher,
the artist’s initials.
Rev. Inscription, d eo . a v s p ic e . a s s e r t is . non . m in o r e .
ANIMO . QVAM . SVCCESSV . AVITIS . PATRI® . LEGIBVS . ADVERSVS .
TRES . POTENTISSIMOS . HISPANIARVM . REGES . COACTIS . DEINDE .
SEMEL . ITERVMQ J CONTRA . VICINOS . BRITANNOS . ARMA .
SVMERE . BATAVTS . POST . PACEM . EGREGIA . VIRTVTE . BELLO .
PARTAM . ATQVE . REDVOTA . GENERIS . HVMANI . COMMERCIA .
CONSVLES . SENATVSQVE . AMSTELODAMENSIS . MONVMENTVM . HOC .
cio . id . o . l x v ii . f . c. (Under Providence, the ancient laws of
M M