Beggars’ Medal, anonymous, 1574
casting, l 3.5cm × w 3.1cm More details
‘Rather Turkish than popish.’ That is the message of this medal worn by the Beggars fighting in Dutch waters against Philip II’s ships. The enemy of your enemy is your friend, and the Islamic Turks are Spain’s fiercest foes. Their symbol is a crescent moon. The rebels are thus demonstrating their resolve: anything is better than submission to the Catholic Church and the Spanish king.
