Description: Beautiful historical Medal Commemorating the Arrival of Charles IX to Paris, dated 1571. The Medal is about 37 mm across, and weighs about 12.7 g. The Medal is rare, at the time of this posting no other such medal was available on the Web. The Obverse of the Medal features Bust of Charles IX, in armor, wearing a sash and a medallion suspended from a cord. The Lettering reads: (flower) CAROLI • VIIII • FRANCORVM REGIS (Of Charles IX, King of the French.) The Reverse of the Medal depicts Charles on horseback beneath a canopy carried by four men approaching a gate in which a woman (Paris) stands and offers him her keys. The Lettering reads: .•. ADVENTVS • LVT (Arrival at Paris ). The Medal was designed by Alexandre Olivier, and the Obverse drawn by Guillaume Martin. The Medal in the collection of the British Museum (as described in its Website) is struck in Silver, and other medals, including on in cast bronze, 37 mm across, are listed. A bit of history. Catherine de' Medici, mother of Charles IX, and the power behind the throne, agreed to the marriage of Charles IX with the young Archduchess Elisabeth of Austria, as France was in need of a Catholic marriage in order to combat the Protestant party, the Huguenots, as well as to cement an alliance between the Habsburg and the French Crown. Elisabeth was first married by proxy on 22 October 1570 in the cathedral of Speyer, her uncle, Archduke Ferdinand of Further Austria-Tyrol, standing as proxy for Charles IX. After long celebrations, on 4 November she left Austria accompanied by high-ranking German dignitaries. Because of bad weather upon arrival in France, where constant rain had made roads impassable, the decision was taken to have the official wedding celebrated in the small border town of Mézières, in Champagne, (now Charleville-Mézières). Before reaching her destination, Elisabeth stayed in Sedan, where her husband's two younger brothers Henry, Duke of Anjou and François, Duke of Alençon, greeted her. Curious about his future wife, Charles dressed himself as a soldier and went to Sedan, where he mixed in the crowd of courtiers to observe her incognito, while his brother Henry was showing her the architecture of the fortress of Sedan. Charles was reportedly delighted (enchanté) with the sight of her. King Charles IX of France and Archduchess Elisabeth of Austria were formally married on 26 November 1570 in Mézières. Because of the difficult journey and the cold weather, at the beginning of 1571 Elisabeth fell ill. Since the wedding took place far away from Paris, it was only in the spring that the German-French alliance was celebrated once again with magnificent feasts in the capital. On 25 March 1571, Elisabeth was consecrated as Queen of France by the Archbishop of Reims at the Basilica of St Denis. The new queen officially entered Paris four days later, on 29 March. Your Medal will be shipped as soon as payment is received. If you have any questions let me know before you bid. Shipping in the US is free. This does not apply to foreign purchasers, the rates depend on the country. You can rest assured I will find the cheapest and safest option, please check before you bid. I combine shipments. Thanks and good luck!
Price: 64.75 USD
Location: Bloomington, Indiana
End Time: 2024-12-11T18:10:13.000Z
Shipping Cost: 0 USD
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Item Specifics
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Circulated/Uncirculated: Circulated
Type: Medal
Country/Region of Manufacture: France
