The States were therefore endangered by the contests of two
rival parties, and these various counters and medals point out
emphatically the necessary consequences of such dissensions.
Elizabeth, with sound policy, sent orders to her partisans to
submit immediately to the authority of Prince Maurice. The
device of these pieces, omitting the peculiar symbols of England,
occurs frequently upon counters of the Provinces. (See Van
Loon, I. 879.)
110. T h om a s S e c k f o e d . Died 1588.
Bust of Thomas Seckford, three-quarters, r., in gown, ruff,
and hat. Leg. t h o : s e k f o e d e s q . f o u n d e d w o o d b e id g e a lm s h
o u s e s . 1587.
Rev. Shield, arms of Seckford ; ermines, on a fesse or.
three escallops, a crescent for difference; below, two palm
branches; around, o e a t i o n e s . e t . e l e e m o s . a s c e n d v n t . i n .
m em o e iam . c o e am . d e o . (Prayers and alms ascend as a memorial
before God.) Leg. a t w h o s e e x p e n c e c o u n t y map s
WEEE FIBST ENGBAVED. 1574.
Edge, p u b l i s h e d b y e . l o d e e . 1796.
1'35. Pye’s Provincial Tokens, PI. xlix. 4.
MB. M.
This is a token of the eighteenth century issued by a private
individual. Thomas Seckford, whom it commemorates, was
horn about 1515, and was the second son of Thomas Seckford,
of Seckford Hall, Suffolk. He was appointed 8 Dec., 1558,
Master of Bequests. Under letters patent of 23 May, 1587,
he founded and endowed alms-houses at Woodbridge for twenty-
four poor men and women. He died Jan. 1587-8.
111. D e f e a t o f t h e S p a n i s h A em a d a . 1588.
Pope, kings, bishops and others, seated in consultation,
with bandaged eyes; the floor filled with spikes. Above,
o . COECAS . HOMINVM . MENTES . O . PECTOEA . COECA. (Oh ! the
blind minds, the blind hearts of men.) Leg. d v b vm . e s t .
c o n t e a . s t im v l o s . c a l c i t e a e e . (It is hard to kick against the
pricks.—Acts ix. 5.)
Rev. The Spanish fleet driven against rocks; above, v e n i .
v id e . v iv e . 1588. (Come, see, live.) Leg. t v . d e v s . m a g n v s .
ET . MAGNA. f a c i s . t v . s o l v s . d e v s . (Thou, God, art great and
doest wondrous things; thou art God alone.—Fsal. lxxxvi. 10.)
On both sides, m. m. Bose : stops, crosses saltire.
2. Med. Hist. viii. 7. Perry, vi. 5. Van Loon, I. 384
Pemb. Cat. P. 4. T. 38. Luckius, 314. Evelyn, 94.
MB. JR. Athole, JR. gilt. Bodley, JR. Bibl. Paris, JR.
Vienna, N . JR. Gotha, JR. Copenhagen, AT. St. Petersburg,
JR.
This medal is rather rare, but less so than some others of a
similar style. Evelyn mentions one of gold weighing 3 ozs. The
obverse sarcastically satirizes the vain efforts of the Pope, the
Emperor, Philip II., the Duke de Guise and other Princes,
who had confederated against Elizabeth. The reverse records
the destruction of the Spanish Armada, and ascribes the event
to the immediate interference of Heaven.
- 1 1 2 . D e f e a t o f t h e S p a n i s h A em a d a . 1588.
The Spanish fleet dispersed and wrecked ; above, in clouds,
the name of Jehovah in Hebrew. Leg. f l a v i t . e t . d i s s i p a t i .
s v n t . 1588. (He blew and they were scattered.) m.m. Cross.
Rev. Church founded on a rock amid tempestuous waves ;
below, shield, arms of Prince Maurice, crowned. Leg. a l l i d o e !
n o n . læ d o b . (I am assailed not injured.) m. m. Castle :
stops on both sides, crosses saltire.
2. Med. Hist. ix. 1 . Van Loon, I. 386.1. Bizot
p. 59.
MB. JR. Bodley, JR. Bibl. Paris, JR. Gotha, JR.
St. Petersburg, JR. Stockholm, JR.
This piece was struck at Middleburg, in Holland, the symbol
of that place being a castle, and not in England, as Addison
supposes, when he eulogizes Elizabeth for the good spirit of
the device; for, though he has slightly erred in the description,
this is the medal he refers to, Spectator, No. 293. The