years ran a successful career ; but, when William had formed
the States of Europe into one grand confederacy, the power of
Prance was on the decline; and the capture of Namur, reported
impregnable, was considered the presage of the falling monarchy
of Prance.
390. N a m u r r e t a k e n . ^ 1695,
Bust of William III., r., laureate, hair long, in armour, with
lion’s head in front and straps on the shoulder, and mantle with
fringe round the breast. Leg. w iLh e lm v s . i i i . d . g . mag .
b r it . er a n c . e t . h ib . r e x . Below, i . boskam . f . Same as
Nos. 288, 322, 336, 383, 385, 386.
Rev. A pedestal, surmounted by a Victory and inscribed,
GALLI . AD . CELEBR . CYM . MVLTA . FESTIVIT . LVD . XIV . NATAL .
NAMVR . CASTEL . PER . TRIEN . OCCVP . ET . MAX . SVMPTV .
m y n it is . hi t e r n . v a l ed ic v n T . i . s e p t . m .d c .xcy. (The French,
to celebrate with great festivity the birthday of Louis XIV.,
bid an eternal farewell to the castle of Namur, which they had
occupied three years, and fortified at the greatest expense,
1 Sept. 1695.) At the sides of the pedestal are captured French
standards, and at the foot the two river gods, mosa and
SABisS-the Meuse and the Sambre. Leg. v tn c it amor p a t r is
p a t r i ie . (The love of the Father of his country is victorious.)
I . BOSKAM . F.
2-3.
MB. At. Hague, At. Vienna, N . At. Gotha, At.
Bare.
The device of this medal is copied from one (See No. 274)
which was struck to commemorate the capture of “Namur by
Louis XIV. in 1692. The inscription is altered into one highly
sarcastic, intimating that the surrender was the French mode
of celebrating the King’s birthday. The capitulation was made
1 Sept.; but the garrison did not march out till 5 Sept., which
was the birthday of Louis XIV. The reverse of this medal also
occurs with the obverse of No. 384.
391. N amu r r e t a k e n , 1695.
Bust of William III., r., laureate, &c.; same as the preceding.
Rev. A pedestal, surmounted by a Victory, &c.; similar to
the preceding, but inscribed, g v il l . max . namvr . vr b . e t .
ARC . XLVII . D . OB . CEP . SVB . OC . GALL . CEN . MILL . V
SEPT . MDCXCV. (William, the very Great, took the city and
citadel of Namur after forty-seven days’ siege under the eyes
of one hundred thousand Frenchmen, 5 Sept. 1695.) Leg.
VTNCIT AMOR . PATRIS PATRUE.
2-3. Bapin, xviii. 3. Van Loon, IV. 197.
No specimen has been met with.
The date of the garrison’s marching out is given on this
medal; not the date of the capitulation.
392. N amur r e t a k e n , ^ s e p ti I 6 9 5 -
Bust of William III., r., laureate, hair long, in armour, and
embroidered mantle round the breast. Leg. w il h . i i i . d . g .
ang . sco . f r . e t . h ib . r e x . On edge of mantle, f . w .
(F. I). Winter.)
Rev. Three men falling by the breaking of a rope firmly held
at the other end by two men. Leg. co namvr. (We strive.)
Ex. I . SEPT . M.DC.XCV.
1-5. Bapin, xix. 3. Van Loon, IV. 205.
MB. electrotype from Hunter, At. Hague, At. Brussels,
lead. Very rare.
The three falling persons are the Comte de Guiscard, governor
of Namur, Marshal Boufflers, commander of the garrison, and
Villeroy, commander of the army, sent to its relief; the rope is
Namur, which, by its breaking, intimates the surrender to
William and to the Elector of Bavaria. The legend, if read as
one word, alludes to the contending parties who are endeavouring
to succeed; if read as two words, it is merely the name of
the county or province of Namur.