Mislukte aanslag van Mary Nicholson op het leven van George III, koning van Engeland 1800

Curator: Here we have an intriguing commemorative piece: "Mislukte aanslag van Mary Nicholson op het leven van George III, koning van Engeland," dating back to 1800. It appears to be made of pewter, possibly a medal or coin. What’s your initial reaction? Editor: It strikes me as a bit of historical drama immortalized in, well, hard currency, literally! I can't help but see the absurdity: an attempted assassination reduced to a pocket-sized tableau. Makes you wonder about the perspectives back then. Curator: Precisely. The imagery is telling. On one side, we see an angel protecting George III. This is coupled with an allegorical scene—an angel with shield upraised protecting a portrait of George with the inscription "God Save the King". It highlights the divine right of kings narrative, particularly resonant at a time of revolutionary upheaval elsewhere. Editor: So it’s blatant propaganda, then? The "angelic defense" feels overly theatrical. I bet Nicholson wasn't some demon sent from hell, but this image wants to erase any trace of complexity of a real historical moment and potentially justify whatever the establishment wants! Also, if the attempt had failed it can be thought as an act of saving a King. That said, to turn something into a political narrative is something so old in time! Curator: To an extent, propaganda yes, but also a common mode of royal self-presentation. But that is so on point! And think about it; commemorative objects were often circulated widely, solidifying a particular version of events. On the reverse we see a Royal crest being protected from a shining sun which may symbolize, with that light, divine intervention and awareness. This medal probably became a symbol to protect the reign. Editor: It is a potent piece of narrative engineering. I do wonder how this resonated beyond the aristocratic circles; was it truly convincing, or did it trigger questions it hoped to suppress? Now I wonder, what would a medal commemorating Mary Nicholson look like? A knife through a powdered wig, maybe? Curator: Fascinating thought experiment. But it serves as a poignant reminder that how we narrate events—even failed attempts—can profoundly shape their place in history. Editor: And, really, a metallic object telling a tale far more complex and multifaceted than it can possibly hold.