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Mountbatten Medallic History of Great Britain and the Sea Medal: The First Ark Royal Flagship A…
Mountbatten Medallic History of Great Britain and the Sea Medal: The First Ark Royal Flagship Against The Armada
Mountbatten Medallic History of Great Britain and the Sea Medal: The First Ark Royal Flagship A…
Mountbatten Medallic History of Great Britain and the Sea Medal: The First Ark Royal Flagship Against The Armada

Mountbatten Medallic History of Great Britain and the Sea Medal: The First Ark Royal Flagship Against The Armada

Associated (Frogmore House, Windsor, England, 1900 - 1979)
DateMay 2004
Object NameMedal
MediumSterling Silver
ClassificationsMedals
Dimensions44mm
AcquisitionPresented in 2004 by Dr Joan M Burrell.
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDMS072500.7
About MeThe first Ark Royal, a galleon, flew the flag of Lord Howard of Effingham, the English Commander-in-Chief who fought the Armada sent in 1588 by Philip of Spain with the purpose of subjugating England. She was originally built as a private venture. She was commissioned for Sir Walter Raleigh, originally bore his name, and was provided at his own expense. Raleigh handed her over to the Queen, who later remitted him a debt £5,000.

The vessel had a long and distinguished career. Launched the year before the Armada sailed, she survived to take part in an expedition against Cadiz in 1596. After the death of Elizabeth I and the accession of King James, the ship was once more renamed, this time as the Anne Royal in honour of James's consort, Anne of Denmark. She was wrecked in 1636.

As originally built, the Ark Royal had four masts, a massive projecting beak, and a square stern on which guns were mounted on either side of the rudder. Lord Howard said of her: 'I think her the odd ship in the world for all conditions; and truly I think there can be no great ship make me change and go out of her.' During the course of the Armada campaign, Raleigh himself went aboard with a message from the Queen urging Howard to destroy the Spaniards in any way he could. Shortly after this interlude there followed the fire-ship attack on the Armada off Calais. This scattered Philip's fleet, and ensured that no Spanish army would set foot on English soil.

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