Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex, 1642, a cast and chased silver military reward, unsigned, half-length armoured figure three-quarters left, holding sword, sx above, should hear both houses of parliamant for true religion and subiects fredom stand, inner legend, pro religione lege rege et parliamento, rev. view of both Houses of Parliament, with King and Speaker, 35 x 27mm, 6.90g (Platt II, pp.79-80, type A [A6, this item]; MI I, 295/113; E 140). Very fine or better with integral suspension loop £1,000-£1,200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Dr Jerome J. Platt Collection of 17th-Century Medals.

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Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex (1591-1646), was the eldest son of the 2nd Earl, who was also named Robert and a favourite of Queen Elizabeth. As an English general he commanded in the Netherlands and was considered an able and effective leader. When the Civil War broke out he was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the parliamentary forces. An experienced and popular commander, Essex successfully rallied his troops at Edgehill in 1642 preventing a total rout; he captured Reading and relieved Gloucester the following year. He resigned in 1645 due to ill health and died a year later, on 14 September 1646.