A very nicely done galvanic copy of a very rare medal known from single pieces.
Issue described by Raczynski:
Bust of Christopher Radziwill seen from the side: his head is uncovered. Inscription: CHRI[stophorus] RADZIWI³³ D[ei] G[ratia] BIRZA ET DUBIN[carum] DUX M[agni] D[ucatus] L[ithuaniae] CAM[pi] D[uctor] S[acri] R[omani] I[mperii] PR[inceps] AET[atis] SUAE ANNO 41, viz: Krzysztof Radziwill, by God's grace, Duke of Birz and Dubienki, Field Hetman of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania of the Holy Roman State Duke, the year of his age 41.
Reverse side. The coat of arms of the Radziwill family, that is, an eagle, on the breast of which a shield with three hunting trumpets. Inscription: TENDET IN ARDUA VIRTUS, viz: To difficult things virtue shall aim. At the bottom, the year 1626.
We have listed above the merits that Krysztof Radziwill the Hetman of Lithuania made in the siege of Smolensk in 1633. The medal under the number 112 placed so glorious for this commander and for his house, makes us doubt whether it was in honor of King Wladyslaw or beaten for him. We present our readers with an image of this illustrious man, and feel it is our duty to remind them of his life.
Krzysztof Radziwill, son of Krysztof Xiąż Prince of Birż and Dubienki Wdy. Wileński, Hetman of W. W. X. From the first years of his youth, serving in the army, he showed so much suitability that the famous warrior of that age, Jan Karol Chodkiewicz, recommended him to the King for the field mace of Lithuania, although Radziwill was only eighteen years old at the time. He proved himself worthy of the mulla when for several years and often at his own expense he fought a difficult and dangerous war with the Swedes in Inflants.
Krzysztof Radziwill's adherence to the principles of the Helvetic religion made him unpleasant to King Sigismund, and was the first reason why after the death of Chodkiewicz not he, but Lev Sapieha received the grand mulla.
Nevertheless attached to the House of Vasa, Prince Radziwill after the death of King Sigismund presided over the deliberations of the nation at the Convocation Sejm, where he won supporters for Prince Ladislaus.
After the coronation of the new King, when the Monarch hastened to the relief of Smolensk, Krzysztof Radziwill gave new evidence of his courage, zeal and military science. He led the front guard of the Polish army, he contributed the most to the conduct of this war, (read medal under number 112) he finally put an end to it, when he was appointed by the King to treat for peace with the Moscow Commissars.
As soon as Poland calmed down from this side, Radziwill with a part of the Lithuanian army went to Inflants, where the truce with Sweden was expiring, and a new war was predicted. Enemy steps had already begun in this country, when the Treaty of Sztumdorf put an end to the misunderstandings between Poland and Sweden.
Died Krzysztof Radziwill Voivode of Vilnius and Grand Hetman of Lithuania in 1640.
Silver-plated bronze, diameter 35 x 43 mm, weight 18.40 g.
