Swords of Honour and Glory by Peter Dale Lloyds of London Is a Universally Recognized and Respected Name
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
kin tLCth dl f-~) PLATE I The card given with each sabre to explain the classical symbolism of the hilt. Reprinted from the American Society of Arms Collectors Bulletin 40:8-16 Additional articles available at http://americansocietyofarmscollectors.org/resources/articles/ Swords of Honour and Glory by Peter Dale Lloyds of London is a universally recognized and respected name. Mainly known to the general public as the world's major shipping and marine insurers, its origins go back almost 300 years. In Restoration London the coffee house was the meeting place for gentlemen of fashion. In 1691, Edward Lloyd moved his coffee house to Lombard Street in the City of London, doubtless to secure the patronage of the wealthy bankers and merchants in the Royal Exchange area. Lloyd was an enterprising man and, by 1696, began publish- ing Lloyd's News, a small, general news sheet with some shipping information. As many of the patrons of Lloyds were interested in marine insurance, Lloyd's News became Lloyd's Lisl and was given over entirely to shipping.. - intelligence. As business increased the confined accommodation of a coffee house proved too small and, in 1774, more dignified premises were acquired in the Royal Exchange. About the same time as this major change, John Julius two main forms: presentation sabres, of the type presently to be Angerstein became a member of the Committee of Lloyd's. discussed, and handsome silver vases, which we will discuss Angerstein was born in 1735 and came to Londonfrom Eastern later. Europe at an early age to seek his fortune, which he rapidly In the extremely fashion-conscious late Georgian period, the acquired by virtue of his tremendous ability, drive and per- sabre was an ideal choice, for such curved-bladed swords were sonality. He became Chairman of Lloyd's from 1790 to 1796, the latest requirements for a fashionable officer's armoury, as and, with Sir Francis Baring, welded the group into a powerful they were quickly ousting the straight-bladed spadroon from corporation which grew in stature and repute. Being of a its long established popularity. generous and magnanimous disposition, Sir John (as he then These swords were regarded as the most ornate and excep- had become) initiated the establishment of large funds for the tional group ever to be awarded and were specifically designed support of victims of naval engagements on the high seas, to excite the admiration of all who beheld them; indeed many brought about by the French wars which commenced in 1793 were the valiant deeds performed during that stormy period and continued until Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo in 18 15, a when Britain battled against the mighty fleets of France and period of 22 years. The monies raised were applied wherever Spain to clear the sea lanes and put down all attempts at there was need, and by the end of the first fleet action on June 1, invasion or reduction of what was the greatest sea power on 1794, a sum of over $1 10,000 had been raised and distributed. earth. The wars continued, and Angerstein and his committee were Patriotic Fund sabres came in three main values, although very much aware of the need to stimulate patriotic feeling and all shared a common form of hilt. to encourage the navy in order to protect the British Isles and Hilts were made of gilt metal and the designs were based on the merchantmen on whom the country depended for supplies. classical themes; the grips were of diamond chequered ivory. So it was that the Patriotic Fund was conceived, which during The various components of the hilt signified the following the 22 years of war provided over $295 million to be dispensed human virtues: to all and sundry, subject to their needs. The knuckle-bar, shaped as the club of Hercules, was hoped The Patriotic Fund was founded at a meeting called at to inspire suitably Herculean efforts on the part of the owner. Lloyd's Coffee House, Royal Exchange, London, on July 20, Entwined around this club is a serpent, signifying wisdom. 1803. It was decided there that "to animate the efforts of our National unity was signified by the Roman Fasces, which defense by sea and land it is expedient to raise, by the formed the quillons; the wreath of olive leaves, just above the patriotism of the community at large, a suitable fund for their quillon block, denoted the just reward of a victor; the back comfort and relief, for the purposes of assuaging the anguish of strap, which is formed as the skin of the Nemean lion, also their wounds or palliating, in some degree, the more weighty implied proud victory over the greatest odds. misfortune of the loss of limbs, or alleviating the distress of Just in case this symbolism was missed by the more hard- widows and orphans and granting pecuniary rewards or fighting but less well educated lieutenants of the period, a card, honorable badges of distinction for successful exertions of suitably engraved and illustrated with these classical nuances, value or merit."The "honourable badges of distinction" took was issued with each sword presented (Plate 1). The gold and blue bullion sword knot wrapped around the The very handsome effect created by this gilt and blued dec- hilt is the original. All values of swords appeared to have had oration is now sadly a lost art, one of many! Like so many knots of the same type but, because of their fragile nature, very ancient processes, it was never completely recorded on paper few exist today (Plate 2b). but simply handed down by word of mouth and example, so to- The most elaborate grade was the Trafalgar sword. This was day we can only make logical guesses as to how it was carried a special variety of the £ 100 sword awarded to officers who out. commanded ships at the battle off Cape Trafalgar, 21 October The blade would come into the decorator's hands with a 1805. Then closely followed a sword of £100 value, presented sharpened edge and a finely polished surface. First the etched mainly to Captains; then a £50 value sword, intended mainly decoration would be carried out. The blade would be covered for presentation to Lieutenants and, lastly, a sword of £30 value or "stopped" in an acid-proof wax and the main decorative usually awarded to midshipment and mates (Plates 2a, b & c). motifs would be scratched, with a needle-like tool, through this By looking at the decoration on the blades the differences in covering, so exposing the bare steel beneath. The blade would value becomes more apparent. then be washed over with dilute nitric acid which would bite or Each sword awarded was duly inscribed and most of the etch the scratched designs into the steel. The wax-covered parts inscriptions can be read by holding the sword horizontal with would be unaffected by the acid and retain their polished steel the cutting edge downwards. However, for some unknown finish. The acid would then be washed off with water, the wax reason a few swords exist which must be held with the cutting stopping removed and the first stage, a blade with etched only edge uppermost for the inscription to be read. decoration, completed. A typical Trafalgar type would bear the following inscrip- The next stage would be the gilding. The areas to be gilt tion "FROM THE PATRIOTIC FUND AT LLOYDS TO would be painted with a solution of sulphate of copper, applied ISRAEL PELLEW ESQ: CAPTN OF H.M.S. to the blade by a fine brush. An amalgam of gold would then be CONQUEROR FOR HIS MERITORIOUS SERVICES IN prepared by mixing fine gold powder with heated mercury. CONTRIBUTING TO THE SIGNAL VICTORY This amalgam would be dabbed over the areas to be gilt by OBTAINED OVER THE COMBINED FLEETS OF using a piece of crepe. The gold amalgam would only adhere to FRANCE AND SPAIN OFF CAPE TRAFALGAR ON the areas treated with the sulphate of copper solution, where it THE 21st OCTOBER, 1805." (Plate 2c) All of the Trafalgar takes on a silvery colour. The blade is then blued over a char- swords had very similar wording, the only changes being the coal fire, which effects two purposes at the same time, for the name of the recipient and his ship. heat, necessary to blue the steel, evaporates the mercury part of In the centre of Plate 2 is a sword of £50 type: most of this the amalgam and leaves only the gold part bonded to the value were awarded to Lieutenants either in the Royal Navy or surface of the blade. The silvery colour of the gold does not take the Royal Marines. The inscription on such a blade would read on a gold appearance until the blade is carefully polished with "FROM THE PATRIOTIC FUND AT LLOYDS TO LT. putty powder and burnished. Any part of the blade required to GEO. BEATTY OF THE ROYAL MARINES WHO ON retain its bright steel finish would be "stopped" by a coat of THE 16th NOVEMBER 1803 WITH A DETACHMENT OF shellac before firing, the shellac would be removed after the THAT CORPS UNDER HIS COMMAND (IN) THE MOST firing process uncovering the bright steel beneath. The points GALLANT MANNER CARRIED AND DESTROYED of a number of sword of honour blades were sometimes left FORT DUNKIRK IN THE BAY OF ST. ANNE, with a bright steel finish. MARTINIQUE, RECORDED IN THE LONDON The differences in £100, £50 and £30 values are far more GAZETTE 28th JANUARY, 1804".