Catalogue Number
NMLH.1993.371.1
Object Name
Token
Place
London, England, UK
People
John Wilkes, Lord Bute, North Briton Weekly (publication)
Events
Founding of 'North Briton' publication
Date
circa 1762
Description
This medal shows Lord Bute's head in a boot, with an axe beside it.
The medal was designed to commemorates John Wilkes satirising the Earl of Bute in his North Briton publication. John Wilkes was an 18th century politician, journalist and radical reformer. While acceptable by modern sensibilities, many ideas of political reformers at this time were contested by those in power. In his publication, the North Briton, he wrote about corruption in government and opposed the extensive power of the monarchy. In one issue of the North Briton, he criticised the King and was sent to prison for libel, although he was released because he was a Member of Parliament.
This collection of political tokens and medals (accession number NMLH.1993.371) was purchased in 1991 with Financial assistance from the MGC Purchase Grant Fund which the Victoria & Albert Museum administered on behalf of the Museum And Galleries Commission.
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