88. A s s i s t a n c e t o t h e U n i t e d P r o v i n c e s . 1 5 8 6 .
Elizabeth, crowned, seated, r., &c.; as obverse of No. 86.
Rev. Elizabeth, crowned, seated facing, &c.; as obverse of
the preceding.
1-2.
Brussels, M . Very rare.
This counter is composed of the obverses of two separate
pieces.
8 9 . A s s is t a n c e to t h e U n it e d P r o v in c e s . 1 5 8 6 .
Two hands united by a knot, with s p e s between them, held
up towards a heart crowned, between p. b . (Populi Belgici.)
Leg. c o r . n o b i l e . a f f l i c t i s . o p i t v l a t v r . (The noble heart
succours the afflicted.) m. m. Cross.
Rev. Inscription, 1586. b e l g i a . h i s p : t y r a n n i d e , o p p r e s s a .
PORTV . SVBITA . VI OBRVTA r AVXIL . A . DEO . ET . SER’ :
a n g l l e . r e g ’ : e x p e c t . (Belgia, oppressed by Spanish
tyranny, and overwhelmed in port by sudden violence, looks
for assistance from God and the most serene Queen of
England.)
1‘25. Med. Hist. ix. 7. Van Loon, I. 357. Evelyn, 95.
MB. M. M.
A counter, not uncommon. The obverse acknowledges that
the Belgians rested their hopes in the nohle heart of Elizabeth,
and were succoured. Van Loon interprets p o r t v as Portugal,
and makes that country a joint suppliant with Belgia, but the
idea seems to be that the violence was at their own doors, and
that they were in the situation of a ship overwhelmed even in
its own harbour.
9 0 . T h e E a r l o f L e ic e s t e r , G ov er n o r -G e n e r a l o f t h e
Low C o u n t r i e s . 1 5 8 6 .
Bust of the Earl of Leicester, three-quarters, I., with full
beard, wearing cap with feather and jewels, lace collar, rich
armour, and collar of roses. Leg. Robertus Gomes Leycestrice
Locuten.es General. ferenifs. Reg" Anglice in exercitu eius in
Belgio Gubern. general. provinciar. unitaru. A0. 86. (Robert,
Earl of Leicester, Lieutenant-General of the Army of the most
serene Queen of England in Belgium, Governor-General of the
United Provinces, in the year 1586.) On the shoulder h . g .
(monogram) f e . (Heinrich Goltzius fecit.)
No reverse.
2-45 by 2-1.
MB. electrotype from Staunton Collection, N . Unique ?
This very fine engraved plate was executed by the Dutch
artist Heinrich Goltzius, whose works with the graver are
remarkable for their freedom of shading, and at the same time
for their sharpness of outline. In 1585 Elizabeth, who for a long
time had furnished the States with aid in secret, sent over an
army of 6,000 men to oppose the forces of Spain in the Low
Countries. The Earl of Leicester was placed in command of
this force, and landed at Elushing 19 Dec. 1585, accompanied
by over 500 of the English nobility. On the 7th of Jan.
1585-6 he was received with much ceremony at the Hague,
and on the 10th of Jan. the Council of State offered him the
Governor-Generalship of the Low Countries on the same terms
as the charge had been undertaken by the Emperor Charles V.
Without consulting his royal mistress, who had declined the
sovereignty or protectorship of the country, Leicester accepted
the office, and his authority was declared supreme and absolute
jointly with the Council of State. This plate was unfortunately
destroyed with the rest of the collection in the fire at the
Birmingham Institute.
91. B e r g e n - o p -Z o o m p r o t e c t e d . 1586.
Shield of Zealand, garnished, crowned. Leg. l v c t o r e t
e m e r g o . 1586. (I struggle and emerge.) The usual motto
of that State.
Rev. Shield of Zealand, crowned, within the seven shields of
her principal towns. Leg. around central shield, a v t o r e d e o
f a v e n t e r e g i n a . (God the author, the Queen the Protector.)
2. Bizot, p. 55.
MB. M. Hague, jit. Rare.
This medal is cast and chased, and was issued as a token