Beschreibung:

A Louis XIV 24-pdr bronze naval cannon Late 17th century Recovered from the wreck of Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell's flagship HMS Association The barrel in three stages separated by mouldings, the cascabel with acanthus leaf band, the breech cast in relief with the Royal arms of Louis XIV within the collars of St. Michel and St. Esprit, then scrolled dolphin handles and fleur de lys cast band, the final stage cast with crossed anchors and a ribbon inscribed LE COMTE DE VERMANDOIS, the vent cast with a shell and inscribed VIGO, above the French arms is incised the broad arrow of the British Ordnance, 10ft 6in long, 5.82in bore, on a later stepped wooden carriage commissioned by Holland & Holland Ltd. Provenance: Sotheby & Co., Treasure recovered from the site of H.M.S. Association, (the property of Roland Morris), 14th July 1969, lot 136, purchased by Holland & Holland Ltd., 13 Bruton Street, London. Sotheby & Co., 24th April 1979, lot 165A, purchased by James Close for ú7,200. The James Close Collection of Historic Naval Cannon. Historical Notes: French origins The presence of the Royal coat of Arms on the breech of the above together with the crossed anchors and ribbon inscribed LE COMTE DE VERMANDOIS indicates that this cannon was almost certainly cast for the French Navy during the period 1669-1683 when Louis de Bourbon (Le Comte de Vermandois) held the office of Admiral of France. Louis de Bourbon was the eldest surviving son of Louis XIV and his mistress Louise de Valliere. Born in 1667 he was legitimised at the age of two in 1669, taking both his aristocratic title and office as Admiral of France at that time. From 1674 he resided with his uncle Philippe of France (duc dÆOrleans) and his aunt Elizabeth Charlotte at the Palais-Royal. Whilst at court with his uncle, Louis de Bourbon came under the influence of the Chevalier de Lorraine (who was known to indulge in dubious moral practices) which eventually resulted in him falling out of favour with his father Louis XIV. In 1682 the king decided to exile Louis to Normandy. In order to try and retrieve the situation his aunt, Elizabeth Charlotte, arranged for Louis to be sent to Flanders in order to prove his worthiness as a soldier. It was whilst campaigning at the Siege of Courtray that Louis de Bourbon fell ill with smallpox. Refusing to return to Lille to recuperate, he died on 18th November 1683. Although his death was well documented, it was widely later believed that the records were falsified in order to cover up the possibility that he had been seized and imprisoned in the Bastille as æthe man in the iron maskÆ for the crime of striking the Dauphine. The Battle of Vigo Bay In addition to the cast crest and name ribbon, the breach of the gun is further inscribed VIGO (near the vent hole). The presence of this inscription strongly suggests that this cannon was captured by the British fleet at the Battle of Vigo Bay in 1702. On his return voyage to England after an unsuccessful summer campaign to capture Cadiz, Admiral Sir George Rooke received news of the recent return of the Spanish treasure fleet, along with its French escort squadron, laden with silver and other valuables from the Americas. Aware of RookeÆs blockade of Cadiz, the French and Spanish commanders, Admirals Chateau-Renault and Manuel de Valesco, had made for the safety of Vigo Bay in northern Spain. Arriving on 23rd September, they hurriedly set up a fortified boom across the narrower end of the bay and started to unload their cargoes. The Anglo-Dutch Fleet arrived on 22nd October, bombarding the walled Vigo City as they made their way up the bay. Early the following morning, troops were dispatched ashore to neutralise the southern land defences whilst the Association, commanded by Captain William Bodenham, pounded the northern fortifications. The defensive boom was soon breached and the entire French fleet of 15 men-oÆ war and 2 frigates either captured or destroyed. The Spanish treasure fleet was also