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 ...

Guest blog: Civil War Oxford (Vanessa Moir, civilwaroxford.co.uk)

The interactive map showing locations associated with court officials, university members, townspeople and guests during the English Civil War (image copyright: civilwaroxford.co.uk)

Vanessa Moir created civilwaroxford.co.uk after being inspired by her university studies and her experience of living in the city. In this guest blog she explains more about its interactive features, the primary sources she's working with, and her plans for the site's future ...

The Danby Gate @ Oxford Botanic Garden

The Danby Gate in Oxford (1632-33). 

I previously wrote a couple of articles about the York House Water Gate in London. The architect Nicholas Stone is now considered to have been its designer and builder, and comparisons are often drawn with the Danby Gate in Oxford, built 1632-33.

I managed to have a look round the Danby Gate, now the entrance to the Botanic Garden, on a recent visit to the city. Here are some pics ...

Was Dobson a Catholic?

Intriguing little side story which never made it into BBC4's William Dobson - The Lost Genius of British Art documentary, suggesting that Charles I's portraitist at the Oxford court may have secretly been a Catholic.

More about William Dobson