he had lost. After the capture of Douay Marlborough and
Eugene intended to besiege Arras; hut Yillars,with great skill,
drew together his army on some newly-constructed lines, and
compelled the Allies to abandon their design, and to content
themselves with the small town of Bethune. Thus did Villars
not only save Arras, but also Paris, as the medallist supposed
that would have been Louis’s next stake. The exergue reminds
him that, had he not rejected the peace, he might not have
lost Douay.
217. D ouay t a k e n , June, 1710.
Louis XIY., seated upon a powder barrel amidst piles of arms
within his tent, rests his elbow on his shield and slumbers;
Anne, like another Dalilah, cuts off his hair. Eugene and
Marlborough, as two Philistines, are ready to rush upon him
and to bind him with cords. In the distance is Douay bombarded.
Leg. p h i l i s t e e u b e b ran s im so n . (The Philistines be upon
thee, Samson.—Judges, xvi. 20.) Ex. po s t v a e ia s v e b e s e t
dvavam (sic) g a l l is e b e p t v m d . 27 . iv n . 1710. (After various
cities, Douay too was wrested from the French, 27 June,
1710.)
Rev. Louis XIV., gouty, his legs bandaged, supported by
sticks, is compelled to dance to the sound of the harp, played
by Anne. Leg. 31 faut 8’accommober auj Sames. (One must accommodate
oneself to the ladies.) Ex. lu d o v ic 9, magn9. anna il l o
m a io b . (Louis the Great, Anne greater than he.)
1‘7. Rapin, ix. 4. Van Loon, V. 165.
MB. At. Gotha, At. Rare.
This medal is by Christian Wermuth, and is described in
his Catalogue, 1718, No. 113, p. 30.
Anne deprives Louis of his strength by cutting off his
fortresses, in which it consisted; thus are they likened to
Dalilah and Samson. Weakened by his losses, it was conjectured
that Louis would be obliged to submit to whatever
terms of peace Anne might like to propose: in other words, he
would be compelled to dance to any tune which she should play,
and be forced to do so as long as she pleased.
218. B a t t l e o p A lm e n a e a . July, 1710.
Bust of Anne, I., laureate, hair bound with pearls, lovelock
on the right shoulder, in mantle, and gown trimmed with pearls
and fastened with brooch in front. Leg. anna . avgvsta. Below,
i. c. (John Croker.) Same as No. 213.
Rev. Battle scene; cavalry charging: in the foreground,
General Stanhope seizing the bridle of the horse of the Spanish
general, Amezaga, and striking him with his sword. Leg.
pv g n a . e q v e s t e is . (The equestrian battle.) Ex. h is p a n is .
ad . alm en a eam . v ic t . iv l i i . x v i . mdccx. (The Spaniards
defeated at Almenara, 16 July, 1710.)
1'9. Rapin, viii. 11. Van Loon, V. 157.
MB. At. jE. Not uncommon.
Two dies, slightly varying, were used for the obverse of this
medal.
In 1710 the two rival pretenders to the crown of Spain were
present with their respective armies; that of Charles was
commanded by Generals Staremberg and Stanhope, who were
compelled to inactivity by the inferiority of their numbers, and
that of Philip by the Marquess of Villadarias and General
Amezaga. Having received reinforcements, which reduced
their inequality, the Allies pursued Philip, who had been
compelled to retire from want of provisions, and overtook him
near Almenara, July. General Stanhope, at the head of
his cavalry, made an impetuous charge upon the whole body of
Spanish cavalry, and put them to the rout. They left 1,500
men killed and wounded upon the field, including General
Amezaga, who commanded the guards of Philip, and who fell
by General Stanhope’s own hand. This exploit, worthy of the
warfare of earlier ages, is portrayed upon this medal.
219. B a t t l e o e S a eagos sa . -2-q August, 1710.
Bust of Anne, I., laureate, &c. ; same as the preceding.
Rev. Victory, introduced by Britannia, presents captured
standards to Anne, seated, r., upon her throne. Leg. h is p a n is .