Touch Piece from James VIII of Scotland

[Scottishmoney]

 

The son of James VII of Scotland, James VIII would never officially rule Scotland, but only in the hearts of the Jacobite followers. His life began in controversy as to whether he really indeed was the child of James VII and Mary of Modena. Shortly after his birth he was spirited of to France for safekeeping as the Protestant supporters of William and Mary were beginning to agitate for the ouster of James VII from the throne. In 1701, after the death of James VII in France, James VIII was proclaimed King.

 

After several abortive attempts, most notably in 1708 and in 1715, he was not able to secure the throne, despite the continued support of many in Scotland. He would never again attempt to take the throne in Scotland and left it to his son, Bonnie Prince Charlie to rise to the occasion in 1745.

 

The above item is a touch piece from the time of James VIII, this was an ancient tradition in Scotland, where the reigning monarch would bless and hand a medal like the one above to an ill recipient. This was known as "touching for the kings' evil and was believed that since he ruled devinely that he must be able to cure the ill. This is a scarce piece and was probably presented to a follower in exile in France.

[Art]

That's really neat - both the medal and the history.