Robert Dudley

Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester (1532-1588), Leicester relinquishes the Governorship of Holland, silver medal 1587, unsigned, bust of Leicester three-quarters left, in richly decorated tunic, collar and feathered hat, ROBE CO LEIC ET IN BELG GVBER 1587, rev., sheep graze in flat countryside, to the right a dog leaves them, INVITVS DESERO, legend around, NO GRECEM SED INGRATOS, 41mm (MI 140/100; Eim. 54; H & P pl. 28, 5; vL I, 375). Cast and details finely chased, extremely fine.

The United Provinces had complained to Elizabeth I about the unpopularity of Leicester as Governor and Captain General. Leicester had been absent from the country and returned to find that he had been replaced as Captain General by Maurice, second son of the late Prince of Orange. He then quit the Provinces and these medals were distributed at that time.

Provenance: Michael Hall Collection, Part III, Baldwin Auction, 28 September, 2010 (lot 2524).