Charles II, King of England: Proclamation of the Peace of Breda [obverse] 1667

Jan Roettiers created this silver medal celebrating Charles II, King of England, and the Proclamation of the Peace of Breda. In 17th-century England, striking medals was a way to mark important political events, create a record for posterity, and circulate propaganda. This medal commemorates the end of conflict between England and the Dutch Republic. Charles II is shown in profile, his long hair cascading down his shoulders, encircled by a Latin inscription declaring him king of Great Britain, France, and Ireland by the Grace of God. Charles II’s reign began with the Restoration of the monarchy and the Church of England. For the institutions of state, it was vital to control the narrative around this event after the years of civil war and Commonwealth. The image of the king on this medal is a demonstration of royal power and authority. To understand this piece fully, we would need to look at other artworks from the time, study royal records, and investigate how the image of Charles II was used and circulated.