British Historical Medals

Lot 1754    Session 7 (11.30am Wednesday)    British Historical Medals

Estimate $2,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $4,000

RUGBY SCHOOL, H.M.Queen's Prize, c1847, medal in gold (tested at 23ct, 47.6g, 36.5mm) by W.Wyon (BHM 2296), obverse, diademed head of Queen Victoria left, reverse, Historiae / Recentioris Studium / Apud Scholam / Rugbeiensem / Arnoldo Auctore / Institutum / Praemio Fovet / Munificentia (The Queen's generosity supports with a prize the study of Modern History established at Rugby by Arnold), edge impressed 'James Eastwick 1869'. Cased, light scratches in fields, otherwise nearly uncirculated and rare.

Rugby School was founded by Lawrence Sheriff, a London tradesman, in 1567. Dr Thomas Arnold was appointed Headmaster in 1828, a position he held til 1842. In 1847 a petition from scholars at the school was submitted to Queen Victoria 'praying for some kind of Royal Favour so long coveted by the late Dr Arnold'. Subsequently a gold medal was granted as an annual prize by Her Majesty.

James Eastwick, only son of Rev James Eastwick of Stamford, entered Rugby School in 1863 aged 12, matriculated in 1869, Exhibitioner 1869, University College, Oxford Scholar 1869, First Class Classical Moderations 1871, B.A. First Class Final Classics 1873, Fellow of Trinity College 1873, First Class in Law 1874, B.C.L. and D.C.L. 1876, Eldon Law Scholar, Barrister-at-Law, Lincoln's Inn 1877. Together with copy of relevant page from Rugby School Register.