These images are provided for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons License (BY-NC-ND). To license a high resolution version, please contact our image library who will discuss fees, terms and waivers.
Download this imageCreative commons explained - what it means, how you can use our's and other people's content.
Artist:
Wyon, Leonard Charles
Artist:
Brock, Thomas
Ruler:
Victoria (1837-1901)
Ruler:
Victoria regina et imperatrix
(With the title of)
Mint:
London
Colonial Canada's nineteenth-century history did not lack for secessionist movements, all ultimately unsucessful. In 1870 the Canadian Government began to organise settlement in the North-West Territory, and this was resented by the indigenous peoples, including the Métis groups from whom the revolutionary Louis Riel, involved in the earlier Red River rising, sprang. Riel returned from exile in the United States in 1884 and immediately began to agitate for recognition of Métis rights. In 1885, emboldened by lack of Government response, he set up a Provisional Government and proclaimed himself a divinely-chosen leader, and although general support eluded him numerous indigenous groups took the opportunity to rise on their own accounts.
A military response was swiftly forthcoming, and almost all of the Canadian Militia had to be committed to the campaign. Three battles, at the Saskatchewan River, Fish Creek and Batoche, more or less suppressed the various insurgents and the government was able to pacify the Indian discontents with pardons and food supplies. Riel was forced to surrender, and was tried and hanged. He is still regarded as a hero and national father in some Québecois quarters.
This medal was awarded to Trooper J. S Hicks of the Alberta Mounted Rifles. It bears the Saskatchewan bar that was added to the medals of those who had fought in any of the three major battles, so Hicks must have seen combat against the rebels. Lester Watson purchased the medal at some point before 1928.
History note: Gift of L. Hoyt Watson; ex Lester Watson Collection, bt before 1928
Given by Lester Watson through Cambridge in America, 2009
Diameter: 36.3 mm
Weight: 39.84 g
Method of acquisition: Given (2009) by Watson, Lester
Production date: AD 1885
Inscription present: Bust of Victoria facing left with veil
Inscription present: Inscription surrounded by maple wreath
Accession number: CM.1407-2009
Primary reference Number: 141501
Watson Catalogue: 316
Ordering: M-0290
Previous object number: LW.0290
Stable URI
Owner or interested party:
The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department:
Coins and Medals
This record can be cited in the Harvard Bibliographic style using the text below:
The Fitzwilliam Museum (2024) "North West Canada Medal (1885)" Web page available at: https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/141501 Accessed: 2024-11-09 23:24:04
To cite this record on Wikipedia you can use this code snippet:
{{cite web|url=https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/141501
|title=North West Canada Medal (1885)
|author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2024-11-09 23:24:04|publisher=The
University of Cambridge}}
To call these data via our API (remember this needs to be authenticated) you can use this code snippet:
https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/api/v1/objects/object-141501
To use this as a simple code embed, copy this string:
<div class="text-center">
<figure class="figure">
<img src="https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/imagestore/cm/cm15/LW_0290_281_29.jpg"
alt="North West Canada Medal (1885)"
class="img-fluid" />
<figcaption class="figure-caption text-info">North West Canada Medal (1885)</figcaption>
</figure>
</div>
Updates about future exhibitions and displays, family activities, virtual events & news. You'll be the first to know...
