Beheading of James Scott, Duke of Monmouth, and Archibald Campbell, 9th Earl of Argyll [reverse] 1685

Regnier Arondeaux made this metal medal depicting the beheading of James Scott and Archibald Campbell. It’s an image rife with the social and political tensions of its time. This reverse of the medal uses visual codes to create meaning. It shows the goddess of Justice presiding over the executions of two prominent figures, James Scott, the Duke of Monmouth, and Archibald Campbell, the Earl of Argyll. These men led rebellions against King James II of England, who ruled from 1685-1688. The image is packed with cultural references, such as the scales of justice, and historical associations, like the beheadings, all reflecting the political and social hierarchies of late 17th-century England. By studying period documents we can understand how the medal’s imagery reflects an era of intense political upheaval and religious conflict, with institutions of power using art to legitimize their actions and suppress dissent. Art like this serves as a reminder that its meaning is always shaped by its historical context.