of the Spanish Netherlands, was a sudden and terrible blow to
the Council of the Princes at the Hague, and disconcerted for
a while all their plans.
189. C a p it u l a t io n o f M o n s . 1691.
Bust of Louis XIY., r., hair long, no drapery. Leg. l u d o -
YICUS MAGNUS REX CHRISTIANISSIMUS. Below, J . MAVGER . F .
Rev. Hercules, as on the preceding. Leg. to ta eu r o pa
SPECTANTE ET ADYERSANTE. Ex. MONTES HANN EXPUG .
m .d c .l x x x x i . (Mons in Hainault taken, 1691.)
1-6. Med. Louis XIY., 4to, 285.
MB. JR. M.
One of the smaller series of French national medals. The
obverses of the specimens in silver and copper are slightly
varied.
190. C a p it u l a t io n o f M o n s . ” ■ “ .ja r , 1691.
Bust of Louis XIY., r., hair long, in armour with straps on
the shoulder, and mantle fastened with brooch. Leg. lvdovicvs
mag . GALL . r e x p . f . A . p . p . (Louis, the Great, King of
France, pious, prosperous, august, the Father of his country.)
Rev. Mods, wearing a mural crown, kneeling and presenting
the keys of the city to Louis XIY. in armour ; near him, flags
and military trophies ; in the distance, the city; above, Fame
with palm branch and laurel wreath. Leg. g ig a n t e o s s ic
fv lm in a t avsvs. (Thus he destroys with his thunder the daring
attempts of the giants.) Ex. m o n t ib v s e v e r s is ix a p . m d c x c i.
(The mountains [Mons] overthrown, 9 April, 1691.)
2-3. Yan Loon, IV. 46.
MB. 2Et. Rare-
The allusion is to the war between the gods and the giants,
and in the exergue there is a pun on the name of Mons, which
refers to the rocks which the giants hurled at their opponents.
Mons capitulated on the 8th April [N. S.], but was not delivered
up till the 9th, and on the following day the garrison marched
out.
191. W il l ia m III. and L o u is XIY. c o n t r a s t e d .
April, 1691.
Louis XIV., as a Boman Emperor, leans decrepitly upon a
sword with a blade consisting of coins, the point resting upon
an exploding bomb. Above are lightnings; and in the background
mons in flames, and Louis’s state coach followed by
some court ladies. Leg. unam . sic . occupat . u r b em . (Thus
he seizes one city.) Ex. lu d o v ic u s . xmi . o p p r e s so r .
d e c r e p it u s . (Louis XIV., the decrepit Oppressor.)
Rev. William HI., as a Roman Emperor, holds a standard
decorated with the Christian monogram and the cap of Liberty,
and resting on a globe; in his other hand is a drawn sword;
above are rays from heaven; on one side is a trophy of the
crowned shields and flags of the United Kingdoms; on the
other, terrified harpies fleeing away. Leg. h i s a rm is . t r ia
r e g n a . pa r a t . (By these arms he obtains three kingdoms.)
Ex, GUILELMUS . I l l LIBERATOR . FLORENS. (William III., the
successful Liberator.)
2 -05. Van Loon, IV. 46.
MB. JR. Hague, At. P. H. Yan Gelder, lead.
Gotha, JR. Very rare.
This medal draws a contrast between the two kings. Louis
is represented as a decrepit oppressor, leaning upon the
emblems of bribery and cruelty, by which he was supposed to
have obtained possession of Mons, whence he is seen returning
to Versailles accompanied by the ladies of his court. William
appears as a successful protector of religion and liberty, expelling
the Harpies of Discord from the British Isles.
192. W il l ia m III. and L o u is XIV. April, 1691.
Bust of William III., r., laureate, hair very long, no drapery.
Leg. in v ic t is s im v s g v il l e lm v s . h i . Below, f . d . w .
(F. D. Winter.)
Rev, Bust of Louis XIV., r., hair long, no drapery. Leg.
LVDOVICVS MAGNVS REX.