Verdediging van Brussel, penning door de stad uitgereikt aan de gewapende burgerij 1815

This is an anonymous medal, given out by the city of Brussels to its armed citizenry. Although undated, its inscription "BELGICI REGNI, MAGNAS GARENTESSE, WILHELMO NASSOVOBO, MDCCCXV" suggests that it was made around 1815. It commemorates when William of Nassau was in power as King of the Netherlands, underscoring the political and social climate of the time. The medal would have been of great significance to those who received it, embodying their service and loyalty. Its creation reflects a society grappling with questions of national identity and sovereignty, set against a backdrop of shifting European power dynamics. The medal acts as a time capsule, offering insights into the values, anxieties, and aspirations of a society in transition. As a token of gratitude, it suggests themes of civic duty and the protection of the social order, all the while preserving the memories of the individuals who shaped the history of Brussels.