NAM.1979-07-140-1

Medal commemorating the Capture of Louisbourg, 1758. Bronze. Obverse: A grenadier and a sailor standing upon a ground, to either side of a globe, with ‘CANADA’ and ‘AMERICA’ marked. The grenadier and sailor point towards Canada. Behind the globe a Union standard, above the globe a scroll. Flying above all a figure of Victory, blowing a trumpet and holding a laurel wreath in her left hand. Crushed beneath the globe is a naked female figure representing France, who points to a fleur de lys in front of her on the ground. Reverse: In the foreground, a battery of field guns on a seashore, manned and commanded by figures in tricorne hats. Two sailing warships in the middle ground, the right hand one on fire, with a large cloud of smoke above. A group of smaller boats to the left of the warships. In the background, a line of six sailing warships. This scene possibly depicts the cutting-out party sent into the city’s harbour by Admiral Boscawen on 25 June, which eliminated the last two French ships of the line, capturing the Bienfaisant and burning the Prudent, thus clearing the way for the Royal Navy to enter the harbour. Associated with Capture of Louisbourg (1758), Seven Years War, North America (1756-1763).

Louisbourg, Capture of, 1758 (Seven Years War, North America 1756-1763)