Archbishop Laud Executed, 1644/5, a silver medal by J. Roettiers [struck c. 1680], bust right in cap and robes, gvill lavd archiepisc cantvar x ian 1644, rev. sancti caroli præcvrsor, infant genii carrying mitre and crozier to Heaven, below, a distant view of London, 58mm, 83.07g (Platt II, p.190, type B [B8, this item]; MI I, 315/147; E 145). A few minor surface marks, otherwise about extremely fine £400-£600

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

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Timothy Millett FPL 2001 (217)

William Laud (1573-1645) was a bishop in the Church of England. Appointed Archbishop of Canterbury by Charles I in 1633, he was a key advocate of the king’s religious reforms. A firm believer in episcopalianism, or rule by bishops, his views were designed to enforce uniformity within the Church of England, as outlined by Charles. Often highly ritualistic, these were precursors to what are now known as high church views. He opposed Calvinism and was regarded by Puritan clerics and laymen as a formidable and dangerous opponent. Arrested by Parliament in 1640, he was executed towards the end of the First Civil War in January 1644/5.