Mountbatten Medallic History of Great Britain and the Sea Medal :'The Great Seal of Trinity Hou…

Images(2)

Mountbatten Medallic History of Great Britain and the Sea Medal :'The Great Seal of Trinity House'

AssociatedAssociated with Lord Mountbatten of Burma (Frogmore House, Windsor, England, 1900 - 1979)

Medallist John Pinches, Medallists

DateMay 2004

Object NameMedal

MediumSterling Silver

ClassificationsMedals

AcquisitionPresented in 2004 by Dr Joan M Burrell.

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDMS072500.2

Keywords

About MeThe Corporation of Trinity House probably owes its origins to a seamen's guild established within the port of London in the 15th century or earlier. In 1513, following a petition to Henry VIII, a Corporation was formally inaugurated as the 'Corporation of Trinity House of Deptford Strond'. Its principal duty was the regulation of pilotage services on the River Thames and its seaward approaches, but charitable and social functions inherited from the seamen's guild continued to be important. At first the headquarters of the Corporation were at Deptford; later premises were built on Tower Hill - the present administrative centre.

An Act of 1566 made Trinity House responsible for seamarks (beacons and buoys) on the Thames, from which the Corporation derived much of its revenue by the levy of tolls on passing ships. It also assumed responsibility for the licensing of watermen on the River Thames. In 1594 the duties of administering the provision and disposal of ballast on the river were vested in the Corporation with a reciprocal entitlement to levy dues in respect of these duties.

The construction and maintenance of lighthouses were not initially Trinity House responsibilities since many were built and operated by private individuals under patents or leases from the Crown. However, early in the 17th century the Corporation came to administer two lighthouses built on the East Anglian coast. Later, Trinity House placed the first of several lightships to mark hazards in the approachcs to London. An Act of Parliament in 1836 transferred all privately owned lights to Trinity House with powers to levy uniform tolls.

Today the Corporation has important statutory duties respecting navigation, pilotage and the maintenance of lights in British home waters. There is a body of pilots of the highest skill, and a considerable staff mans lightships, lighthouses and the many vessels employed by the Corporation in the maintenance of buoys, lights and fairways.

The charter of 1604 divided the Brethren of Trinity House into two classes, Elder and Younger, headed by a Master. The Younger Brethren were practical seamen, and day-to-day business was managed by four Wardens and a number of Assistants. Since the important charter granted by James II in 1685, noblemen and others distinguished in public affairs have been enrolled as Elder Brethren. Several prime ministers have served in this capacity, including Sir Winston Churchill. The present Master is H.R.H. The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

The Mountbatten Medallic History of Great Britain and the Sea, John Pinches Medallists Ltd.