Francois-Hercule, hertog van Anjou, beschermer van Vlaanderen 1583

This small copper coin was made by an anonymous artist, likely in the Netherlands, to depict François-Hercule, Duke of Anjou, and to declare him the protector of Flanders. The social and political context here is crucial: this object testifies to the complex power struggles between the Netherlands, France, and Spain. Coins such as this one were not simply currency, they were tools of propaganda. The image of François-Hercule, along with the claim that he was the protector of Flanders, would have circulated at a time of great political instability. It aimed to garner support for his rule and to communicate a specific message about the region's allegiance. Understanding such an object requires us to examine the historical archives of the region and the period. The image and inscription speak volumes, but we, as historians, must understand the institutional and political conditions that made such a message necessary.