French, Prince Imperial 18th Birthday Cased Table Medal, 1874

Original era manufacture. 45mm double sided bronze medal by L.Merley (Louis Merley 1815-1883)which resides in its fitted case. On the obverse the profile of the French Prince Imperial is displayed. Napolon Eugne Louis Jean Joseph, 16 March 1856 1 June 1879, only son of Napoleon III and his wife Empress Consort Eugenie de Montijo. The young Prince fled with his mother to England after his fathers defeat and capture at the Battle of Sedan in 1870. The Prince attended the Royal Military Academy at Woolrich and after graduation joined the expedition to Zululand in 1879. He was posted to a staff position with strict orders to his commanders and fellow officers that he be looked after and kept from harm. On the morning of June 1st 1879, while participating in a scouting mission, the Prince's party was ambushed by a group of Zulu warriors. The Prince was dismounted and his horse bolted with the Prince clinging to a holster. The strap broke free after a short distance with the Prince injuring his arm in the fall. He rose, drew his revolver and turned to meet the onrushing Zulus. He was quickly overwhelmed and killed with his body pierced by many asagai spear wounds. Two of his companions also lost their lives, while the ones who escaped were shunned by their fellows for not coming to the Princes aid. His death was an international scandal at the time.