destruction of the Spanish Armada was occasioned, in great
measure, by a violent storm; and the interference of Providence
is duly acknowledged upon the obverse. As the armament
had been prepared against Elizabeth, the chief head and
champion of the Protestant cause, it was deemed an attack
upon that Church. The arms of Prince Maurice, being introduced,
it is probable that the medal was struck by his orders.
113. D e f e a t o f t h e S p a n i s h A rm a d a . 1588.
Two ships engaged; beneath, c h a s s i s . h i s p . (The Spanish
fleet.) Legi. v e n i t . t v i t . f v i t . 1588. (It came, it went, it
was.) m. in. Castle : stops, crosses.
Rev. Shield of Zealand, crowned. Leg. s o l i . d e o . g l o r i a .
(To God alone the glory.) m. to. Castle : stops, crosses.
1’25. Yan Loon, I. 384. 2. Perry, Supp. ii. 4.
MB. JR. Æ. Bodley, JR. Advocates, At.
A counter, not rare. Camden (“ Ann. Be. Ang. et Hib.”
Lugd. 1626, p. 553) says many moneys were coined, in memory
of this victory, with a fleet in full sail flying and this inscription,
“ Yenit . vidit . fugit.” This is probably a mistaken
description of this counter. He mentions another with the
legend d v x f o e m in a f a c t i , of which no trace can be found.
This counter was struck at Middleburg, to commemorate the
sudden destruction and entire disappearance of the Armada.
114. D e f e a t o f t h e S p a n i s h A rm a d a . 1588.
The Armada dispersed and wrecked, three ships shown.
Leg. c h a s s i s . h i s p á n i c a . v e n i t . i v i t . f v i t . . (The Spanish fleet
came, went, was.) to. to. Quatrefoil.
Rev. Shield of Zealand. Leg. s o l i . d e o . g l o r i a .
2-5. Bizot, p. 59.
MB. electrotype from Gotha, At.
Cast and chased. This medal is not contemporary, and was
probably copied from the preceding.
115. D e f e a t o f t h e S p a n i s h A rm a d a . 1588.
Fleet sailing before the wind I sun dispersing clouds. Leg
POST . NVBILA . p h o e b v s . a ° . 1588. (After a storm sunshine'
in the year 1588.)
Rev. Shield, of Zealand, crowned, within the eight shields
of her principal towns. Leg. c a l c v l i . o r d in v m . z e l a n d l e .
(Counters of the States of Zealand.) to. to. Castle.
1’2. Yan Loon, I. 384. 3.
MB. JE.
Another counter, struck at Middleburg, commemorating the
tranquillity which succeeded the storms threatened to Protestant
Europe by the Spanish Armada.
116. D e f e a t o f t h e S p a n i s h A rm a d a . 1588.
Four persons kneeling, I., in prayer ; above, rays proceeding
from clouds. Leg. h om o . p r o p o n i t . d e v s . d i s p o n i t . (Man
proposes, God disposes.) Ex. 1588. to. to. Bose.
Rev. A Spanish ship, breaking asunder. Leg. h i s p a n i
f v g i v t . ET . p e r e v t . n em in e . s e q v e t e . (The Spaniards flee
and perish, no one pursuing.) to. to. Cross.
1-15. Med. Hist. ix. 6. Perry, vi. 6. Van Loon
I. 386. 2.
MB. JR. JE. Hunter, At.
A counter, not rare. The object of the obverse is to represent
the devotional gratitude of the people for their deliverance,
which they ascribe to God. The reverse alludes to the circumstances
of the destruction of the Armada. Having suffered
much from the attacks of the English fleet, the Spanish admiral
took to flight, steering northwards, and hoping to escape round
the northern isles. Lord Howard followed, but was compelled
to give up the pursuit from want of ammunition. A tremendous
storm came on, and the Spanish fleet perished, no one
pursuing.
117. D e f e a t o f t h e S p a n i s h A rm a d a . 1588.
Bust of Philip II. of Spain, r., in armour, and wearing
the Order of the Golden Fleece. Leg. p h i l i p p v s : i i : d : g :
h i s p a n : r e x : 1588.