Solmes, who was aecused of saying to Ms German troops,
‘‘Let us seo how the bull-dogs can fight,” refused to advance
his men. The forces of the enemy having been increased}
William was compelled to retire ; he did so in good order, and
Luxembourg did not venture to pursue.
280. B a t t l e o f S t e in k ir k . 1692.
Bust of Louis XIY., r., laureate, hair long, in armour with
straps on the shoulder, and mantle fastened on the shoulder
with brooch ornamented with Medusa’s head. Leg. lv d o v ic v s *
magnvs . r e x . c h r is t ia n is s . Below, r . (Henri Boussel.)
' Rev. A trophy of arms, &c.; same as the preceding.
! 2-8.
- MBi At. M. - • Very rare.
This medal is composed of the work of < two artists, the
obverse by Henri Roussel and the reverse by Jean Mauger.
Roussel appears to have been more successful in his portraits
of the King than his brother engraver.
281. B a t t l e o f S t e in k ir k . 1692.
Bust of Louis XIY., r., hair long, no drapery. Leg. l u d o -
YICUS MAGNUS REX CHRISTIANISSIMUS. Below, J . MAVGER . S’. '
Rev. A trophy of arms, &c.; same as No.-279, but without
the artist’s name in the exergue.
' 1*6. Yan Loon, IV. 109. Med. Louis XlV., 4to, 242.
' "MB. M. M. . ■
The obverses of the specimens in silver and copper are from
different dies. ‘ ■ • c. '• - - '
282. B a t t l e o f S t e in k ir k . 1692.
Bust of Louis XIV., r., laureate, hair long, in armour with
straps on the shoulder, and mantle fastened on the shoulder
with brooch ornamented with Medusa’s head. Leg. lv d o v ic v s »
magnvs . r e x . CHRiSTiAiîiss. Below, r . (Henri Roussel.)
Rei). A French soldier with sword uplifted over a prostrate
foe, whom he holds by the cravat, amid fallen standards, in
a field« of battle ; behind, another French soldier capturing a
standard ; in the background, the Allies fleeing, the French pursuing.
Leg. v ir t v s . p e d it v m . fra n co rvm . (The valour of the
French infantry.) Ex. fvg n a . ad . s t e n k e r c Am '. m .d c .lx x x x ii.
(Battle at Steinkirk, 1692.) m ola rt . f .
2 -85. Med. Louis XIY., fol. 241.
MB. Æ. ■ Very rare.
The reverse of this medal was designed by Le Clerc, in
accordance with instructions given him by the French Academy,
the members of whieh, although not approving of the number of
figures in thé design of the reverse, excused themselves on the
ground, that it was intended to record-specially the valour of
the French infantry. In the original design the legend on the*
reverse was p e d it v m gallorvm v ic to r ia maxima (The-greatest
victory of the French infantry), but as the action was not" a,
decisive one, and the words v ic to r ia m a x im a -could only-be
applied to such a victory, the inscription was altered to the
above, and in : the :exergue ad angiaM- was : changed ■ to ad
s t e n k e r c a m , as the valour of the infantry was displayed more at
the village of Steinkirk than at Enghien, where the fighting was
not so severe. The obverse as given in the Med. Louis XIV.,
fol. 241, is as usual different. In this battle the army was.
purposely drawn up where cavalry could act only with difficulty;
the brunt of the engagement was therefore borné chiefly
by the infantry on both sides ; and it was only after the
French infantry had been driven from their ground that the'
French cavalry could be brought up,-when they, aided by
the treachery of Count- Solmes, turned the fate of the day.-
The infantry fought well and deserved credit, but it -was not
by them that defeat was averted. The engagement was fought
sword in hand, no firing; but with the cold steel.' - Therefore»'
the French soldier is represented as seizing-his foe by the
cravat. • *W