Charles I was the King of England, Scotland and Ireland from 1625 to 1649. Following the death of his elder brother, Prince Henry, Charles became heir to the throne in 1612 and succeeded his father, as the second Stuart King of the three kingdoms, in 1625. During his reign, he frequently quarrelled with the Parliament over political, financial and religious issues and ultimately provoked the English Civil War in 1642, which led to his execution in 1649. Badges and roundels, like this piece, were likely to be produced as a propaganda item for loyalists to the British Crown at the time of civil war.
Pewter has been used in Britain since the Roman period but was increasingly utilised throughout the Medieval period and was at its peak during the 17th and 18th centuries. It was an attractive and versatile alloy made of mostly tin with small amounts of other metals combined. Common components added were copper, antimony or lead, which all increased the durability of the metal. In 1474, London pewterers were given a royal charter by King Edward IV, in an effort to ensure quality control during the rapid expansion of the industry. The guild established then, ‘The Worshipful Company of Pewterers’, is still active today, and pewter goods are still produced in Britain and sold around the world.
