Updated 6th Dec 2015

Webmaster: David W Fell. United Kingdom.

Black Tom

ENGLISH CIVIL WAR LORD FAIRFAX MEDAL English ca 1645

“A very rare English Civil War medal in brass with 90% of silver gilt remaining. The image of the Parliamentary Commander, Thomas Lord Fairfax appears on the face with an inscription for merit on the reverse. Dated 1645, these medals are believed to have been given to all ranks for service at the battle of Marston Moor and perhaps later to New Model Army regiments for participation at Naseby in June 1645. This medal measures 1 inch by 1.5 inch and has its integral suspension loop in tact. This medallion was purchased from the premier coin and medallion firm of A. H. Baldwin & Sons, London, in late 1980s, by a well-known English Civil War arms and armour collector in the United States.”

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Medal Face.

Close Up

Medal Reverse

Close up.

A very nice item indeed but somewhat beyond my budget I suspect.

Readers may also be interested in these pictures I took of Black Tom’s armour set on display at the York Museum a few years ago.

Front

Side

Rear

Helmet

I understand from an expert armourer that this set exhibits several unusual features. He did not go into details but said he would like make a copy at some stage. For my own part I was surprised at the size. If those are indeed back and breast plates worn by Black Tom he certainly was not a big man. I certainly could not get those on. He must have been very slim.

Finally an interesting  picture of Black Tom’s wheel chair used by the great man in his later years. This pic was provided by John Thomson.

Wheelchair

 

http://www.the-fairfax-society.org/

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