Mods in Hainault, 11 Sept. 1709.) In the field, monogram of
m b . (Martin Brunner.)
Edge, n im ivm pb o n o f e r v o r e p e t it .® iam p ig e t h e s p e r m ;.
(He now repents haying claimed Spain with too much headlong
fervour.)
1‘7. Van Loon, V. 145.
MB. ® . Very rare.
The Sun, the emblem of Louis XIV., gives occasion to the
taunts upon this medal. He is affrighted at the terrific signs
of the zodiac, and is consequently only a fictitious orb. The
reverse symbolizes the dark state of affairs at Mons by the
declining Sun of Louis at Malplaquet, and the edge intimates
that the “ Grand Monarque ” repented at having too eagerly
attempted to place his family on the throne of Spain. In the
conditions for peace offered by Louis to the Dutch at the
beginning of this year, he agreed to give no further countenance
to the claims of his grandson Philip to the crown of Spain.
201. B a t t l e o f M a l p l a q u e t . ” 1709.
Bust of Louis XIV., r., laureate, hair long, in armour and
mantle. Leg. lv d o v ic . x iv . d . g . m . f r . e t nav . r e x c h r .
Below, W. (Christian Wermuth.)
Eev. A lily struck by lightning. Leg. Chronogrammatic.
l il ic id iv m . (The fall of the lily, m d c l l v h i i = 1709.) Ex. f v g .
g a l l . t a in ie r s . a n 0, svpra n o t . xi s e p t . (The French defeated
at Taisnieres, 11 Sept., in the year above mentioned.)
•85. Van Loon, V. 145. Thes. Num. 935.
No specimen of this piece has been met with : it is one of
a set of counters made by Christian Wermuth. (See No. 235,
p. 47.) The lily is the emblem of France, and its being struck
by lightning intimates the damage sustained by the defeat at
Malplaquet, or Taisnieres, as stated in the exergue.
202. M ons t a k e n . ^ October, 1709.
Bust of Anne, I., hair bound with pearls, lovelock on the
right shoulder, in gown and mantle tied in a knot on the left
shoulder. Leg. anna . d : a : mag : b r i : f r a : e t . h ib : r e g :
Below, i. c. (John Croker.) Same as Nos. 64, 141, 157,190.
Eev. Victory, bearing a wreath and a palm branch, flying, I.,
above the city of Mons. Leg. montlbvs . in . han n on ia .
c a p t is . (Mons in Hainault taken.) Ex. m d c c ix . On the line
of exergue, s. b . (Samuel Bull.)
1'55. Rapin, viii. 8. Van Loon, V. 149. Thes. Num. 934.
MB. ® . Æ. Not uncommon.
After the battle of Malplaquet the investment of Mons was
proceeded with. The trenches were opened -|f- Sept., but
owing to the marshy nature of the ground and the wetness of
the season the progress of the siege was slow, and it was not
until Oct. that the breaches were practicable. The French
army now showed some intention of interrupting the siege, but
finding Marlborough with the covering army too strongly posted,
Mons was left to its fate, and it surrendered, fÎ/j Oct. 1709, the
garrison marching out two days after.
203. M ons t a k e n . ^ October, 1709.
Gallia, holding the broken chain of Mons, who, murally
crowned, is seated on a rock, upholds her Gorgon shield against
the lightnings hurled against her by Bellona, who rests her
hand upon a bundle of fasces. Leg. n e c castra n e c m v n i-
m e n t a . (Neither entrenchments, nor fortifications [avail].) Ex.
po s t c e n iv m a v tvm n i. (The last act of the Autumn.) n . (Nuremberg.)
Eev. The Colossus of Rhodes falling to pieces. Leg. m o l e
r v it sva. (It falls by its own weight.) Ex. m o n t e s h a n n .
g a l l ia la b . RECVPERATi . x x iii. Oc t . m d c c ix . (Mons in Hainault
is recovered from tottering France, 23 Oct. 1709.) Monogram
of m b . (Martin Brunner.)
P65. Rapin, viii. 9. Van Loon, V. 149.
MB.Æ.Æ. Bibl. Paris, ® . Hague,®. Brussels,®.
Rare.
The tragedy of the Autumn had been performed, the actors
had retired to the Green Room, and returned to their true
characters. France, no longer gay and vaunting, now quailed