Aansporing tot eensgezindheid in de strijd tegen de Spanjaarden, rekenpenning van de rekenkamer van Utrecht 1584

This bronze medal calling for unity against the Spanish was made by an anonymous artist for the Utrecht chamber of accounts. As an object produced by a government institution, this medal testifies to a fraught period in Dutch history. From the mid-16th to mid-17th century, the Dutch fought for independence from the Spanish Empire. Visual symbols were a key element in this struggle. On one side, we see a rooster, a popular symbol of vigilance. On the other side, there are four heraldic shields representing the quarters of Utrecht. Together, they indicate the desire for political solidarity. The inscriptions in Latin and Dutch would also have been powerful mobilizing forces. The historian’s role is to understand the meanings of these images, not only in terms of their literal content but also their social and political effects. Scholarly research into primary documents such as pamphlets, letters, and other visual materials can reveal a more nuanced understanding of the past.