The Supremacy Medallion of Henry VIII

The Supremacy Medallion, also known as the Supremacy Medal, is a rare gold medallion issued in 1545 during the reign of King Henry VIII of England. It commemorates Henry's assertion as Supreme Head of the Church of England, following the Act of Supremacy in 1534. The medal is one of the earliest known examples of English commemorative medals and a significant artifact of Tudor propaganda and Renaissance design.

Historical Background

The Act of Supremacy (1534) marked a major turning point in English religious history, declaring Henry VIII the Supreme Head of the Church of England. This break from papal authority initiated the English Reformation. The medallion was produced more than a decade later, symbolizing Henry's consolidated power over both church and state.[1][2][3]

Design

The Supremacy Medallion is widely regarded as England's first Renaissance-style commemorative medal.[4] It was likely designed by Henry Bayse, the chief engraver at the Royal Mint.[4] The medallion, measuring approximately 51 mm in diameter and weighing around 60 grams, was struck in gold. It is attributed to the engraver R. H., likely working under royal commission at the Tower Mint in London.[5]

Obverse

Features a bust of Henry VIII facing right, wearing an ermine-trimmed robe, a bejeweled cap, and a collar of rubies. Around him is a Latin inscription:

"HENRICVS OCTA ANGLIAE FRANCI ET HIB REX FIDEI DEFENSOR ET IN TERR ECCLE ANGLI ET HIBE SUB CHRIST CAPVT SVPREMVN" ("Henry VIII, King of England, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, and under Christ the supreme head on earth of the Church of England and Ireland").[3][4]

Reverse

Contains inscriptions in Hebrew and Greek, repeating the same declaration of supremacy as the obverse. The placement of the languages symbolizes Henry's claim to universal Christian authority, over both Old and New Testament traditions. It is also marked "LONDINI 1545" at the bottom.[3]

Surviving Examples and Value

Only a few examples of the Supremacy Medallion survive today. The British Museum and Royal Museums Greenwich each hold versions in their collections.[3][6] In 2021, a gold example was sold at auction in Switzerland for over £100,000, underscoring its rarity and historical value.[7]

Legacy

The medallion is considered one of the earliest examples of Tudor numismatic art and a potent symbol of the Reformation. Its unique use of multiple languages and bold declaration of monarchical authority reflect the ideological and theological shifts of 16th-century England.[8]

See also

  • Act of Supremacy (1534) – The legislation that declared Henry VIII the Supreme Head of the Church of England.
  • English Reformation – The broader religious and political movement that separated the Church of England from papal authority.
  • Tudor propaganda – The use of imagery, coins, medallions, and architecture to promote royal authority during the Tudor period.
  • Henry VIII of England – The monarch who initiated the English Reformation and commissioned the Supremacy Medallion.
  • Royal Mint – The institution responsible for striking coins and medals in England, including those from the Tudor era.
  • Tudor art – The visual and material culture of England during the reign of the Tudor monarchs.
  • Medallic art – The art form encompassing the design and production of commemorative medals.

References

  1. ^ "Medals Database: Henry VIII - British Medals from the Time Period". identifymedals.com. Retrieved 2025-03-26.
  2. ^ "Act of Supremacy 1534". www.parliament.uk. Retrieved 2025-03-25.
  3. ^ a b c d "Original Sources - Act of Supremacy of Henry VIII". www.originalsources.com. Retrieved 2025-03-25.
  4. ^ a b c Admin, C. M. (2021-06-16). "The Supremacy Medal of Henry VIII joins the historic collections of Crosby Moran Hall | Christopher Moran". Dr. Christopher Moran. Retrieved 2025-03-25.
  5. ^ "Medal commemorating the supremacy of the church, 1545 | Royal Museums Greenwich". www.rmg.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-03-25.
  6. ^ "medal | British Museum". The British Museum. Archived from the original on 2024-06-03. Retrieved 2025-03-25.
  7. ^ "Henry VIII gold medal takes six-figure sum in Swiss auction". www.antiquestradegazette.com. Retrieved 2025-03-25.
  8. ^ "Henry VIII and the Art of the Royal Supremacy | Art History Dissertations and Abstracts from North American Institutions". openpublishing.psu.edu. Retrieved 2025-03-25.
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