The medals of Soho near Birmingham
1791 France New Constitution "Serment Du Roi" Medal (Maz-244)- (Lettered Edge)

Owner Comments:

This is an incredibly cool and attainable medal struck at the Soho Mint to commemorate an event that transpired during the French Revolution. The Monneron brothers initially had the idea to strike a series of medals to commemorate exceptional events and figures in French history, but the series was abruptly abandoned due to the financial failure of their ventures. Only three medals were produced out of the proposed series. The current piece, often dubbed the “Serment Du Rois ‘Je Jure’ medal was struck to immortalize the King’s acceptance of the new French Constitution. It is interesting to note that Dupre opted to provide the date of the commemorated event on the medal as opposed to when it was struck (i.e., 1791 instead of 1792), which seems to have been a general practice at the time (Tungate, 2020). This is one of the few medals in this collection that allows seeing an engraver’s work that is not overtly detailed in the main write-up. Despite his comparatively limited involvement with the medals struck at the Soho Mint, Dupre was an extraordinarily talented artist.

The pictures are courtesy of NGC's new PhotoVision Plus Service.

Historical Context: The French Revolution has captivated the interest of countless historians, which has generated an abundance of modern interpretations. Those interested have no doubt had the opportunity to read these works but may not have had a chance to read an adultered contemporary account of the series of events that transpired. To this end, I present a series of publications from 1791 that provide a glimpse of contemporary analysis from the British perspective. I hope that readers will consider this information in conjuncture with the write-ups for other relevant medals in this set.
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Derby Mercury
Thursday, August 18 1791

FRENCH CONSTITUTION.
The Form of Government which the French nation has adopted, having met with applause from some, and the highest disapprobation from others, it appears necessary, since it is now finished, to present to the public a few of its fundamental principles: - First, the basis of the whole form is supposed to be, that every citizen shall enjoy protection and encouragement in every part of his inoffensive conduct, civil and religious. To secure this, the National Assembly has endeavored to provide for a constant free Representation of the People, to be called the Legislative National Assembly, from whom the laws are to proceed: with such a legislature they suppose the laws will be pure and impartial. -to ensure the faithful administration of these laws, they have thought it necessary to restrict the King to the execution of them only, without having an influence in their formation, by his Ministers or other dependents. To him is given the care and government of the Kingdom call one he is to provide for its internal and external safety, and to see that justice and support be given to the citizens alike period to encourage him in this arduous, yet illustrious and benevolent engagement, the Nation has allowed him dignity and emolument, as the head and organ of a great nation. The People, the Legislature and the King are subject to public Laws, of which each are supposed to approve: the authority of the King is plainly defined; the extent of the decrees of the Assembly is fixed; the rights and duties of the citizens declared. Thus the Legislative National Assembly, which is deemed the voice of the People, makes the laws; - the King sanctions and puts them in force - and the People reverence and obey the Law, considering it as the will of the nation, and respect the Chief Magistrate, as their Head and Organ.

The above may be called the foundation of the New Constitution; from which, in the following Abridgement, are readers may form a tolerable idea of the whole fabric: -

On the 5th instant, M. Thouret, in the name of the Committees of Constitution and Revision, presented from them to the National Assembly the report, intituled, The French Constitution; and M. Fayette moved, that a decree should be prepared for presenting the Constitutional Act to the most independent examination and free acceptation of the King.

After the preamble, and seventeen Articles of the Declaration of the Rights of a Man and a Citizen, it precedes thus: “the National Assembly, meaning to establish the French Constitution on the principles recognized and declared before, abolishes he revocable by, the institutions that injure liberty and equality of rights. - there is no longer Nobility, or Peerage, or distinction of orders, or feudal system, or patrimonial jurisdictions, or any of the titles, denominations, and prerogatives derived from them, or any orders of chivalry, corporations or decorations, for which proofs of nobility are required, or any other superiority, but that of public officers and the exercise of their functions. - no public office is any longer saleable or hereditary. - there is no longer, for any part of the nation, or for any individual, any privilege or exception to the common right of all Frenchmen. - There is no longer warden ships, or corporations of professions, arts and craft.- The law no longer recognizes religious vows or any other engagement contrary to natural rights, or to the Constitution.”

This report is then classed under separate heads. - Under the first, it declares that the Constitution guarantees as natural and civil rights, that all citizens are admissible to places & employments within any distinctions; that all contribution shall be divided equally among the citizens, in proportion to their means; that the same crime shall be subject to the same punishments without distinction of persons; liberty to all men of going, staying, or departing; of speaking, writing, and printing their thoughts, and of exercising the religious worship to which they are attached; liberty to all citizens of assembling peaceably, and of addressing to all constituted authority, petitions individually signed; and it declares there shall be a general establishment of public succours for the relief and instruction of the poor. Under the 2d head, it declares the Kingdom shall be divided into 83 departments, the departments into districts, and the districts into cantons; it settles the election of municipal officers, declares who shall be French citizens, and who shall be deprived of that privilege (by naturalization in a foreign country, consumacy to the laws, an initiation in any foreign order which requires proofs Nobility). Head the 3d relates to the public powers; it declares the French Government Monarchial, and the constitution representative; the executive power is the King's; - the legislative, the National Assembly’s; the representative shall be 745; the electors to consist of every active citizen not under 25 years of age, who has resided one year in the Canton for which he votes, and who is not a menial servant; every citizen is eligible as a representative who is not a Minister, were employed in certain places of the Household of Treasury. - the representatives are to meet the 1st of may; but shall perform no legislative act tell their number be more than 373. The National Assembly shall be formed by new elections every two years.

The other parts of the3d head relate to the Royalty, Regency, and King. The royalty is declared indivisible, hereditary to the race upon the throne from male to male, to utter the exclusion of women. The King's title shall be only King of the French, and his person sacred and inviolable. On his accession he shall take an oath, “to employ all the power delegated to him to maintain the constitution decreed by the National Assembly, in 1789, 1790, and 1791, and to cause the laws to be executed.” If he violates this oath, leaves the Kingdom, heads an army against the country, or does not oppose such a one, he shall be held to have abdicated the throne. The King is to be held in minor until the age of eighteen, his next relation (aged 25) not a woman, is in such case to be Regent, and to take an oath similar to the King’s; he is, however, to have no power over the person of the King, the care of whom shall be confided to his mother. In case of mental incapacity, there is also to be a Regency. The presumptive air is to bear the name of Prince Royal, and cannot leave the Kingdom without the King’s and the Assembly’s leave; the Minsters are to be chosen by the King, but cannot be sheltered by him from responsibility.

The next section under this head, relates to the power and functions of the National Assembly. They are to decree all laws, fix the public expenses, public contributions or taxes, pay and establishment of the army, Navy, &c. War cannot be resolved on, or carried on, but by their decree, sanctioned by the King; no treaties of peace, alliance, or commerce, can have effect without their ratification, nor can any troops be marched within 30,000 toises Of their body, what's out there requistition or approbation.

The next section respects the holdings of the sittings, and form of deliberating in the Assembly; in the following sections respect the Royal assent and Royal connexion with the Assembly; the King has a power of refusing his assent to a decree of the Assembly; but that refusal is only suspensive, for if the two following Legislatures shall present to him the same decree, it shall be decreed to have the King's consent; - the King’s consent shall be in the following words, - the King consents, and will cause it to be executed, - his suspensive refusal is to be thus expressed, the King will examine. The King May open and close by a speech, if he pleases, the National Assembly, when they have sent him notice, that they mean, at such time, to open an end their sittings, and he may, if state necessity requires it, at any time during the intervals of their sittings, convoke them. The King Is declared supreme head of the general administration of the Kingdom; Of the land and sea forces, and of watching over the exterior security (by his ambassadors) of the Kingdom, he only bestows the rank of Marshalls of the army, and of generals of the fleets; He is to name two thirds of the Lieutenant generals, camp Marshalls, captains of ships, and colonels of National Gendarmeries, - a third Of colonels and Lieutenant colonels, and a sixth of the lieutenants of ships.

The next objects of the report are, on the manner of promulgating the walls; on the interior administration; on exterior connexions (where it is declared the King alone can interfere in foreign politics, and signed treaties with foreign powers) on the judicial power (which can in no case be exercised by the legislative body or the King); on the public force; on public contributions; And on the connexion of the French nation with foreigners, which concludes the report and the following words:
“The French nation renounces the undertaking of any war with a view of making conquests, and will never employ its forces against the liberty of any people.”

Foreigners, whether settled in France or not, inherit the property of their parents whether Foreigners or Frenchmen. They can contract, acquire, and receive property situated in france, and dispose of it, as well as any french citizen, and every mode authorized by the laws.

Foreigners in France are subject to the same criminal laws and regulations of police as French citizens. Their persons, effects, industry, and religion, are equally protected by the law.

French colonies and possessions in Asia, Africa, and America, are not included in the present constitution.

None of the powers instituted by the constitution have a right to change it in its form or its parts.

“The constituting National Assembly commits the deposit to the fidelity of the Legislative Body, of the King and of the Judges, to the vigilance of fathers of families, to wives and to mothers, to the attachment of young citizens, to the courage of all Frenchmen.”

Such are the outlines of the new government, which is considered by one party as founded on bad principles, and incapable of proper action; - by the other, as an improvement on the British Constitution, as in the French they say the means of corruption are not so great, and that by it Liberty is more equitably and liberally extended: But it seems evident, but the merits or demerits of it must be left to the impartial and experimental decision of posterity.
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Reading Mercury
Monday, September 12 1791

Friday and Saturday’s Posts.
Yesterday arrived the Mails from France.
Paris, September 2.
The Constitution being finished, the Assembly called yesterday for the report on the mode of presenting it to the King. M. Beaumetz declared that the three following articles were considered by the Committee as indispensable.

1st, “That a deputation be appointed to present the constitutional act to the monarch.”

2nd, That Louis XVI to take for his guard, and for his Royal dignity, whatever measures he may judge expedient.”

3rd, That the King do name the day on which he may think proper to accept the Constitution, and give orders for the solemn forms to be observed on the occasion.”

These articles were decreed.

On Saturday the 3d instant the New Constitutional Code was presented to the King by M. Thouret, who thus addressed him:

”The Representatives of the nation come to present to your Majesty the Constitutional Act which fixes the indefeatable Rights of the French people, which restores to the throne its real dignity, and organizes the government of the Empire.”

The King’s Answer.
“I receive the Constitution, which the National Assembly commissioned you to present to me; I shall examine it with all the attention and objects so important requires and I shall make known my determination to them with the shortest possible delay - I am resolved not to leave Paris, and I shall immediately give orders to the commander-in-chief about my bodyguards.”

The Deputation of 60 Members, named by the National Assembly to carry the Constitutional Act to the King, proceeded in the following order: a squadron of cavalry and front commanded by M. laFayette. Next to the Deputation, flanked by a body of National Guards, a squadron of calvary close the rear. The hole was preceded, followed and flanked by a great number of flambeaux. The streets through which they passed were lined with cavalry. An immense concourse of people filled the Court of the Mange, and the environs of the King's Palace. The Deputation, found the King sitting in the midst of his Ministers, in the Council Chamber.
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Derby Mercury
Thursday, September 22 1791

WEDNESDAY’s MAIL.
Postscript.
London, (Tuesday) Sept. 20.
On Wednesday last, the French king went to the National Assembly, and publicly confirmed his letter, by avowing his ACCEPTANCE OF THE CONSTITUTION, and the presence of an immense multitude of spectators; The ceremony, which was grand and awful, was accompanied by a general discharge of the artillery belonging to the National Guards. In the evening the city was eliminated, the great rejoicings took place. – His Majesty did not appear in the Cordon Bleu, notwithstanding the decree of the assembly; and very graciously observed, that “he wished not to be distinguished by an external mark of dignity, from the rest of the citizens.”

The French King’s acceptance of the new constitution will be followed by the submission and return of the Refugee Princes. And entire amnesty to all the opponents of the Revolution, and a provision for the Princess suitable to their rank.

If His Majesty too has accepted it with sincerity, he may yet be the great King of a great and free people.

The declaration of the King of France is dexterously worded. Everything that can palpitate his flight, reconcile the inconsistencies of his conduct, and give an air of freedom and sincerity to his present acceptation. Perhaps, indeed, experience of the danger and folly of all attempts to escape may determine him quietly at last, if not quarterly, to submit.

In this situation arts and commerce will flourish, trade revive among them, and the Monarch be divested of some of his worst prerogatives,Lettres de Cachet, the Bastile, and the power of tyrannizing over his subjects.
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Derby Mercury
Thursday, September 22 1791

THURSDAY’s MAIL.
London, (Monday) Sept. 19.

FRENCH KING’S LETTER
TO THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY,
ACCEPTING –
THE NEW CONSTITUTION.
On Tuesday last, the French king sent the following letter to the National Assembly. It was delivered to the President by the Keeper of the Seals.

Immediately it was announced by the President, and declared to be written with the King's own hand.

“GENTLEMEN,

I have carefully examined the Constitutional Act which I have received from you. I accept it, and we'll take care to have it executed. At any other time, the simple declaration might have been sufficient; but in the present conjuncture, I owe it to the nation, I owe it to myself to declare the motives by which I am influenced.

I had long ago resolved to establish the happiness of the people on a permanent foundation. Shocked at the several abuses which had weakened the springs of Government; alarmed, above all, at the situation of the finances, at the disproportion between the receipts and the expenditure, are resolved at the different parts of Government should be subject to uniform rules. But, convinced that I could not alone attain this great object, I called upon the nation for its assistance.

During the progress of the Revolution, when he began to make Constitutional Decrees, I did not wait till the Constitution should be finished before I gave my assent to them.

I have, by all means and my power, contributed to the consolidation of its parts, even before I was able to judge of it in its whole. And when, during the progress of your labours, I was grieved at the prevalence of disorders, I was still in hopes, that at some time or other, the law would have its full force, and that the people would pay that regard to it which can alone constitute their happiness.

I long entertained these hopes, and my resolution has never relaxed, except at the moment that hope forsook me. Everyone may remember the epoch when I left Paris. At that time opinions instead of being united in a common centre, we're divided among several parties. Every species of disorder, in the licentiousness of the press were then at their height. No authority was respected. It was impossible for me, in the midst of this chaos, to distinguish the real wishes of Frenchman.

Had you at that time presented the Constitution to me, I should not have been of opinion, that the interest of the people would lead me to accept it. And when I quitted Paris, I had but one object in view, that of withdrawing myself from all parties, that I might learn and the most unequivocal manner the sentiments of the nation.

The motives by which I was then guided, exist no longer. You have manifested a disposition of maintaining order, you have revised the Constitution, and you have modified some parts of it which had appeared to me likely to be productive of disagreeable consequences.

You have secured a farther revision of it, according to legal forms. At length, the sentiments of the nation are little longer ambiguous. I have observed that they adhere to the Constitution which you have made. I therefore accept this Constitution; and I take upon me, TO DEFEND IT AGAINST ALL INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL ENEMIES. I will have it executed by all the means in my power.

Knowing that it was approved by a very great majority of the nation, I declare, that by accepting it, I give up the claim which I formally made, of having a share in this work, and that being responsible to the nation alone, - no one, when I give up this claim, has a right to complain.

I should, notwithstanding, be wanting of regard to truth, if I were not to observe, then I have perceived, as I thought, and some parts of your work, a want of energy, so necessary to give the laws their full force, and to preserve that unity, so necessary, of all the parts of the vast Empire; but, in this case, experience alone must be allowed to decide, and after I shall have caused the execution of those laws with which I am entrusted, the nation will still be enabled to express their sentiments by all the means in their power.

But, Gentlemen, in order to establish Liberty, and to settle the Constitution for the individual security of all Frenchmen, all respective and common interests must unite and restoring order, and in giving to the laws that respect which is due to them. Now that the Constitution is finished all Frenchmen ought to be united we ought to have no other enemies than confusion and anarchy.

I will combat those common enemies. But it is necessary, that those whom persecution has exiled, be sure of being under the protection of the law, whenever they shall return to their country. And, with a view to stifle all kinds of animosities, and to destroy the spirit of party produced by this great Revolution, let us agree to forget all that is past.

Let all those accusations and trials which have originated in the Revolution, be extinguished in a general reconciliation. It is possible that those who have shewn an attachment to my person should appear guilty in your eyes? As for those who through a guilty or imprudent zeal, have drawn upon themselves the severity of the laws, I find that I am for them the King of all Frenchmen.

LOUIS

Sept. 13, 1791.
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P.S. It is my opinion, Gentlemen, that I ought to accept in person, the Constitution in the midst of the Representatives of the nation, and on the same spot whence it was derived its birth. I therefore give you notice that tomorrow at noon, I will be with the Representatives of the nation, with an intention to declare my solemn acceptation of the Constitution.”

It is impossible to describe the tumults of joy that followed the reading of this letter. Mons. De la Fayette made the following motion: - “gentlemen, give me leave to second the wishes of the King, and to make the express motion, that every person either accused or confined in the consequence of the King's departure from Paris, BE SET AT LIBERTY, and that every criminal process against them BE AT END; that the prohibitory law relative to passports and that which concerns immigrantsBE REPEALED; and that the committees of constitution and of criminal jurisprudence be ordered to draw up and to present, to Morrow, a degree to those purposes.”

This motion was adopted by acclamation.

A deputation of 60 members was immediately appointed to testify to the King the satisfaction of the Assembly, and to inform him that they would be ready to receive him tomorrow.

The manner in which Louis XVI. Has signified his acceptance of the Constitutional Act, has had a wonderful effect on the minds of the people.

In a few days the jails will be thrown open; and it is hoped that a general amnesty and oblivion will be followed by the happiness of a people who by their perseverance and exertion seem worthy of that liberty which they are about to enjoy.
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Obverse: The obverse depicts three figures surrounding a central pillar. The front plate of the pillar is adorned with fasces surmounted by a Phrygian and flanked by an oak wreath. The engraver’s initials D . F. appear on the front plate of the base. To the left, and partially behind the pillar appears what I believe to be an allegorical depiction of Liberty wearing a pointed helmet and flowing robes. Her right arm is lowered holding a pike in front of her. Her right arm is completely obscured by a tablet grasped in her left hand. She is gazing to the right of the pillar. This tablet is resting on the top of the pillar and is inscribed CONSTITUTION in two lines. To the right of the pillar appears King Louis XVI wrapped in decorated robes that flow freely to the ground. A large medallion is affixed to a ribbon that falls across his shoulders and rests on his chest. His right arm is extended outward, and his hand is tracing the writing on the tablet as if he were reading it. His left arm is bent and resting on the hilt of his sword, which seems to disappear within the inner wraps of his robes. His right leg is straight, but his left leg is partially outstretched behind him resting on a slightly higher platform. To this end, the King is stepping down to a platform level with all other figures. Appearing between Liberty and the King is a third figure who is obscured by Louis XVI. I have learned that this is an allegorical figure of Egalité (i.e., equality). Her right is reaching upwards holding a perfectly balanced set of scales. Her gaze is unmissably fixed on the King. This entire scene occurs on a slightly textured foreground that is allowed to extend to the inner ring on both sides but is sharply cut at the bottom to form an exergue. The legend appears above the main device and is closely wrapped around the edge of the inner rim. It reads JE JURE D’ETRE FIDELE A LA NATION ET A LA LOI. In exergue appears the date, 14 SEPTEMBRE 1791 in two lines. All of this is contained within a thin raised outer rim.

Reverse: The reverse design is simple and is divided into two rings that progress in width as they approach the center of the medal. Within the outermost ring of the two appears the legend MESSAGE DU ROI A L’ASS . NAT: CONSTE . TE PRESID . T G . ME THOURET •. It is important to note that some of this legend appears as superscript. This legend contains a lot of shorthand for what I imagine is “Message du Roi á L’Assemblée National Constituante, Président Jacques Gillaume Thouret”. Within the center of the medal the legend LE VOEU PEUPLE N’EST PLUS DOUTEUX POUR MOI: J’ACCEPTE LA CONSTITUTION. 13 SEPTEMBRE L’AN III DE LA LIBERTÉ. appears in nine lines. This wording should sound fmailir, as it is a loose replication of the words from the King’s letter accepting the constitution. All of this is contained within a thin raised outer rim.

Edge: SE. VEND. A. PARIS. CHEZ. MONNERON (PATENTE)

Size: 35mm

Notes: Although the images of this medal are dramatic (compliments of NGC’s newish amazing imaging service), they do not do this medal justice. The cameo contrast is strong against the mirrored fields. I have no idea why this piece was designated as MS as opposed to PF, but it presents all the hallmarks of proof. This medal is classified by Jean Mazard (1965) as Maz-244 and is considered to be common. However, common is a relative term as Tungate (2020) records only 612 were struck across all metals. Nonetheless, this “common” medal is anything but common in this extreme state of preservation. It is graded by NGC as MS-64 BN PL!


References:

Mazard, J. (1965) Histoire Monétaire et Numismatique Contemporaine 1790-1963 – Volume 1 1790-1848. Paris: Émile Bourgey.

Tungate, S. (2020) Matthew Boulton and The Soho Mint: copper to customer. Worcestershire: Brewin Books.