Jacobus II gastvrij ontvangen in Frankrijk door Lodewijk XIV 1689

This bronze medal was created by Jan Smeltzing, and it commemorates the welcome given to James II in France by Louis XIV. Let's consider the medal within its historical and cultural context: James II, a Catholic king in a predominantly Protestant England, faced increasing opposition and was eventually deposed in the Glorious Revolution of 1688. Louis XIV, the King of France, offered James II asylum, reflecting the complex web of religious and political alliances in 17th-century Europe. This medal isn't merely a piece of currency; it embodies the intersection of religious conflict, political power, and the personal fate of exiled royalty. Consider the emotional weight of exile, of seeking refuge in a foreign land. The medal serves as a potent reminder of the human dramas that unfold on the stage of history, and the intertwining of personal stories with broader geopolitical forces.