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2004-24, Badge
Badge of the Blue & Orange Society
2004-24, Badge

Badge of the Blue & Orange Society

Date1750-1800
OriginEngland
MediumGold
DimensionsOH: 59 mm; OW: 37 mm
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number2004-24
Label TextToday's "Orange" movement of Irish Protestant note, is the direct descendant of the Blew & Orange Society formed by Officers of the 4th, or King's Own Regiment.

What is traditionally given as the reverse of the medal depicts a group of arrows, bound by an Electoral crown, hovering point-down over an alter embellished with a facing skull and drapery. Behind and to the sides of the arrows is a scrolling banner inscribed "Strength More Powerful By Union," all of which is surrounded by another translating to "He Who is Envious is Inferior." While the former motto is purely patriotic, the latter is a direct shot at James III (the "Old Pretender) and/or his son Prince Charles (the "Young Pretender" or "Bonnie Prince Charlie," etc…).

The reverse is slightly less cluttered but no less complicated, and is dominated by a garter & star over an octagonal alter. Within the garter, inscribed with the abbreviation for the "Glorious First of August," is the Horse of Hanover. The top of the alter bears the abbreviation for "Another is not Wanting," while its sides carry an orange & sprig with the abbreviation for the "4th of November." The dates given commemorate William III's arrival in England and the Hanoverian Succession to the British throne, while the last motto is another jab at the deposed Stuarts, essentially telling them to "go away."

The bold appearance of the badge in a number of contemporary portraits of prominent officers attests to the importance and celebrity of the Society.

On the eve of the American Revolution the 4th Regiment, and the core of the Society, found itself in Boston, arriving in June of 1774. A young Officer, Lt. John Barker (70), a member of the Blew & Orange, made reference to the Society's Boston activities in his diary, recording the following in January of 1775;

"14th . Cards sent from the Loyal Society of the Blue and Orange to Genls. Gage and Haldiman, Brigadiers Early Percy, Pigott, and Jones, and to the Adml., inviting them to dine with the Society on the Queen's Birthday.

18th . Being the Anniversary of the Queen's birthday, it was celebrated by firing a Royal Salute from the Artillery in Town at 12 o'clock at which time the Picquets of the Army were march'd to King street (71) and fired three volleys; the Ships of War also fired at 1 o'clock. The Loyal and Friendly Society of the Blue and Orange met and dined at the British Coffee House (72), some days previous to which they had a meeting to admit new Members and to appoint Stewards; many of the Loyal and Publick Toasts were accompanied by the discharge of a Volley from 23 Grenadiers of the King's Own (73), agreeable to the custom of the Society; there were sixty eight members present. I was prevented being among them, by being on Guard."
ProvenanceVendor: J. L. Corrigan, North Yorkshire, England