Q&A: British Historical Medals of the 17th Century (Jerome J. Platt, author and collector)

THE ‘JUXON MEDAL.’ ALTHOUGH OFTEN REFERRED TO AS A ‘MEDAL,’ THIS GOLD PIECE IS ACTUALLY A PATTERN FOR A FIVE UNITE (FIVE POUND) COIN (M.I. 374/270; 38 MM.). IMAGE COURTESY OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM.

Books on 17th century military campaigns rarely mention the award of medals. Beyond the odd token of appreciation handed out by the monarch, I was unaware of them being routinely issued at all.

So it was fascinating to learn that the practice became increasingly common during the 1640s, with medals from the period highly prized by collectors today.

The subject is explored in a new book, British Historical Medals of the 17th Century, by Jerome J. Platt. I asked Jerome about who typically issued these awards and why, and learned more about the background to his own collecting ...

Blickling, the Hobarts and Norfolk

The south front door at Blickling Hall.

Below are some photos taken recently in the snow at Blickling Hall, Norfolk.

Little is written about the largely 17th century house during the English Civil War, though the affiliation of the owning family is suggested through a number of sources, including a letter penned by Cromwell: the first letter to be published in a contemporary newsbook ...

What next for Nottingham Castle?

The castle's gatehouse and bridge (the bit that does look like a castle!), showing the original medieval masonry topped by Victorian renovation. 

"It's not a castle, it's just a small scale 'heritage' centre that is in dire need of update. Parking is a nightmare. Avoid." - Pete B, Tripadvisor, Feb 24th 2013

Nottingham Castle isn't that bad. But for as long as I've visited, it's been a funny old place.

"Where's the castle?" many ask after buying their ticket. They have a point. The 17th century Ducal palace high on the rocky outcrop hardly looks like one. Its full title even suggests a need to justify itself. Google it and 'Nottingham Castle Museum and Art Gallery' comes up. It's true - there's a good art gallery, a rather esoteric museum collection and other displays. It does what it says on the tin - just about.

But it's not the brooding, medieval home of the nasty Sheriff of Nottingham beloved of myth-hunters.

All this, however, might be about to change. Development plans are on the table which would see it transformed into a primarily Robin Hood-themed attraction. 17th century buffs are familiar with the site as the place where Charles I raised his standard in 1642 - but will there be a place for the Nottingham's role in the English Civil War in the new narrative? And what about all the other things the city's famous for?

55 Days @ Hampstead Theatre

Mark Gatiss as Charles I in Howard Brenton's 55 Days.

As a League of Gentlemen fan I was particularly looking forward to seeing Mark Gatiss as Charles I in Howard Brenton's 55 Days at the Hampstead Theatre, and I managed to catch it just before the end of its sell-out run ...

'Intrusive' wind turbine to impact on Adwalton Moor

One of one four plaques on Adwalton Moor commemorating the battle of 30 June 1643. © Copyright Richard Kay (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Plans for a wind turbine on the edge of the Adwalton Moor battlefield have been deemed 'intrusive' by Kirklees Council.

The application is still open for public comments, though these must be submitted by 9 July 2012 ...

Siege of Colchester map

View Siege of Colchester 1648 in a larger map
Best viewed in a larger window, so click on the link above.

The map above shows the locations photographed for the previous article on the Siege of Colchester during the English Civil War. I've also added in the line of the town wall as it would have been in 1648 and the conjectural position of the Parliamentarian lines and some of their larger fortifications ...

Fairfax 400th Anniversary Conference

Thomas Fairfax, 3rd Lord Fairfax of Cameron (17 January 1612 – 12 November 1671)

A major conference celebrating the 400th anniversary of the birth of Sir Thomas Fairfax (1612–1671) is to be held at the Centre for English Local History, University of Leicester, from 30 June - 1 July 2012.

The event is being organised by Dr Andrew Hopper from the University of Leicester and Dr Philip Major of Birkbeck, University of London. Dr Hopper spared a moment to answer some questions I had about Fairfax's reputation amongst historians and what delegates can expect at the conference ...

Tracing the Siege of Colchester

Maps of Colchester, old and new.

Update: My interactive map - the companion to this article - can be found here (opens in new window).

A couple of weekends back I managed a quick jaunt around the surviving sites from the 1648 Siege of Colchester.

My guides: the excellent 1997 reprinting of a contemporary siege map produced by Colchester Archaeological Society and the detailed account transcribed in Daniel Defoe's 1722 Essex tour diary ...

Brandon Hill dig questions origin of fort

Sondage across English Civil War ditch showing steep sides and flat base
Photo: © Bristol City Museum & Art Gallery

A recent dig on Brandon Hill in Bristol, thought for a long time to be part of the English Civil War defences from one of the sieges there, has yielded unexpected results ...