1645 Sir Thomas Fairfax Military Reward Badge by Thomas Simon

General Sir Thomas Fairfax (1612-1671), 3rd Lord Fairfax, silver Military Reward, 1645, an oval badge, by Thomas Simon, armoured bust left, plain collar, mantle tied at shoulder, THO FAIRFAX MILES MILIT PARL DVX GEN, rev., MERVISTI in three lines, POST HAC MELIORA 1645 around, 38.5 x 28.5mm (MI 317/150; Platt II, type A, p. 97).

This badge was an award from Thomas Fairfax (1612-1671) , Parliament and the City of London for military services. Fairfax played an important part in the defeat of Royalist forces at the Battle of Marston Moor in 1644 and the following year he was appointed the first commander of the New Model Army. Fairfax turned the New Model Army into a disciplined fighting force and in June his force defeated the Royalists at Naseby. Despite being one of the leading Parliamentarians during the English Civil War, Fairfax nevertheless supported the later restoration of Charles II. This the first time we have seen a gilt specimen. With suspension loop. Fields chased as usual. Good Very Fine and very rare.