What is it?
This is a medal dating from 1729 showing on one side, the bust of
Prince Charles Edward Stuart and on the other his brother Prince Henry
Benedict – the heir and the spare.
Who made it?
This medal was designed by a famous medallist called Otto Hamerani, a
leading court artist in the early decades of the 18th century.
In this short film Professor Viccy Coltman looks at this medal, which
establishes the importance of the heir and the ‘spare’ to the on going
Jacobite cause.
As the first-born son, Charles, was raised with the understanding that one day he would be a king and was educated accordingly.
In preparation for war he was sent to observe military operations at the Siege of Gaeta when he was 13 years old.
Henry, five years younger and in complete awe of his brother, was furious not to be allowed to go with Charles.