Understanding the importance of the Italian border, Louis XIV sought peace with the Northern Italian states and strategically acquired the Citadel Casale, which was previously controlled by the Duke of Mantua. Although France purchased the Citadel, the medal indicates that the Duke of Mantua transferred the Citadel to Louis XIV in exchange for protection from Southern Italy and Spain.
Translation from the Medailles sur les principaux evenements du regne entier de Louis le Grand, pg. 187:
THE CITADEL OF CASAL
DELIVERED TO THE KING
Casal, capital of Montferrat, located on the Po, and very strong in itself, is defended on one side by a citadel, on the other, by a Chateau. The Spaniards have always seen it as necessary, either for the preservation of the Milanese, or to keep the Duke of Savoy dependent on them. From 1629 to 1640 they besieged it three times, and three times France had rescued it. In 1652 during the civil wars of the Kingdom, they seized this Place, and returned shortly thereafter to Charles III, Duke of Mantua, then engaged in their interests. But Charles IV, his son, recognizing the impossibility of keeping it, and in fearing the Spaniards, or the Duke of Savoy himself, not benefitting from his weakness, offered to take the King there with military guard, in order to assure his safety. The King, wishing to assure the safety of Italy, and to protect the rest of his allies, accepted the offer of this Prince. The execution of the Treaty took some time, but finally His Majesty’s Troops entered the Citadel.
This is the subject of this medal. We see the Duke of Mantua, who with one hand holds a staff and standard where his weapons are; and with the other presents to the King, sitting on a Throne, the City of Casal, represented as a Woman, who, kneeling on the ground, offers the map of her Citadel to Her Majesty. The words of the legend, TUTELA ITALY, mean, “the defense and security of Italy.” Those of the Exergue, CASALIS ARCE IN PIDEM RECEPTA. Mr. DC. LXXXI. The citadel of Casal placed in the hands of the King on September 30, 1681.
Object Description
270 LOUIS XIV, The Citadel of Casale Surrenders to Louis XIV (1681), Jean Dollin/Jean Mauger
Obv. Head to right. Around, LUDOVICUS MAGNUS REX CHRISTIANISSIMUS; below, I D . . . LI . . . . F .
Rev. Louis, enthroned on dais at left, receives shield with the plan of Casale on it from kneeling female personification of Casale; behind her the Duke of Mantua hands his standard to Louis. Around, TUTELA ITALIAE . ; in exergue, CASALIS ARCE IN FIDEM | RECEPTA . | M . DC . LXXXI .
Bronze, struck, 41 mm.
From the first Uniform Series. A larger version of this reverse by Hercule le Breton exists (Jacquiot, no. 252).
Bibl.: Forrer 3, 621; Menestrier, no. 70; Louis XIV, p. 187 (adds XXX SEPTEMB . to reverse insc).
