A beautiful 17th century hanger

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Originally Posted by M ELEY

Yep! I went and did it again! Can't get enough hangers, I guess.

This amazing piece comes from the Lanes Armoury. It's a late 17th century hunting hanger with brass fittings, stag hilt, pierced guard with foliage, German made 21" curved blade with false edge and faint stamp which I suspect is the 'knight's head' for the Wundes family of smiths.

The truly amazing thing about this sword is that it has King William III (with crown) and Queen Mary cameos cast into the beautiful brass pierced guard. The two were married in the 1680's, Mary died just prior to 1700 and Charles followed in 1704. Thus, I would place this sword in those two decades.

William was the Prince of Orange (in the Netherlands) before marrying the English king's daughter, Mary Stuart. The Dutch were an embattled nation, fighting off the English in trade, with France advancing on their border, the Spanish attacking their navy and even the German Republics harassing them. Admiral de Royter, acting under William, did an amazing job with strengthening the Dutch navy and even took on the Brits at sea (and won!). When it became apparent that England was not going to stop their tactics, William invaded the UK, sending Charles fleeing the country. In the peace talks, William was offered the crown and became ruler of Great Britain, Scotland, Ireland and Wales with his queen at his side. They had a popular rule and apparently many things bore their image (but I have yet to see a sword with them prior to this example!)

This early hanger was used by the affluent gentry for status and in hunting, but they were immensely popular with naval officers for their durability (brass doesn't rust in salty air) and short length (to prevent getting caught in the rigging when swinging). In Annis' Naval Swords, you will see two famous portraits of naval officers of the era wearing the exact type of hanger (Admiral Benbow and Admiral Shovell). Other examples can be seen in Gilkerson (Boarders Away) and Neumann (Swords and Blades of the American Revolution).

You surely mean James (II) fled the country not Charles . Charles(II ) had died in 1685 !

[M ELEY]

My bad! Yes, I meant James II. Charles came to mind (unconsciously and incorrectly) because his visage was also portrayed on swords around this period in the form of 'mortuary' hilts.

Richard, you bring up a good point as far as the portraiture. England had always appreciated both their monarchs, king and queen. So why the second hand treatment? Could it be that the country wished to downplay Mary Stuart's role in the whole thing, being that she was James' daughter? The whole "guilt of the father, guilt of the bloodline" thing? Or perhaps some might have seen her as a true betrayer/replacer of the old king? Very interesting! I haven't looked up other images of the pair, as you mentioned on coinage. I'll have to do some research...

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Is there any hard evidence that the figures depicted are actually William and Mary ?

[M ELEY]

I had also questioned that point, but the cameos depict a royal couple with crown, no question about that. These type hangers were really only used by the gentry in England and are very time specific based on their construction, decoration, etc. to the period 1680-ish up to 1710 or so. After that, more plain hangers came into play lacking the mythological elements, cherubs, harpies, Medusa, the Green Man, Hercules, etc, etc, which were passe. So, either these are indeed William and Mary or they are some fanciful generic depictions of an earlier king and queen (Arthur???)

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Originally Posted by M ELEY

I had also questioned that point, but the cameos depict a royal couple with crown, no question about that. These type hangers were really only used by the gentry in England and are very time specific based on their construction, decoration, etc. to the period 1680-ish up to 1710 or so. After that, more plain hangers came into play lacking the mythological elements, cherubs, harpies, Medusa, the Green Man, Hercules, etc, etc, which were passe. So, either these are indeed William and Mary or they are some fanciful generic depictions of an earlier king and queen (Arthur???)

yes , take your point .... though as has been already remarked , it is surprising that 'Mary' is not wearing a crown ... as this 'joint monarchy' was a very important condition of the deal in inviting William over .