Nederlaag van Lodewijk XIV in de zeeslag bij Kaap La Hogue 1692

This small silver medal commemorates the defeat of Louis XIV in the Battle of La Hogue. It was most likely produced in the Netherlands, sometime after 1692. The front shows a bust of Louis, a symbol of French royal power. But turn the medal over, and you see that power literally going up in smoke: French ships are shown destroyed by English and Dutch forces. The text around the image reinforces the message: ‘Fugatis, Victis, Receptis,’ or ‘dispersed, conquered, received.’ Medals like this weren't just about recording history, they were tools of propaganda, shaping public opinion about political events. Consider the broader context: the late 17th century saw intense rivalry between France and the Dutch Republic, fueled by economic competition and religious differences. Examining sources like pamphlets, news reports, and diplomatic correspondence from that time helps us to understand the values and beliefs circulating in Dutch society. Only then can we truly understand this little object and its place in that society.