The Interesting and Historically Important Knght Commander’s Group belonged to Admiral Sir Henry Trollope. A Commander’s Badge of the Order, 49x52 mm, in GOLD and enamels, white enameled cross with ball finials, flanked by excelentlly chiseled lions, centre medallions in gold with finely chiseled, pierced and enameled details, decorated upper loop in the form of acanthus leaves, struck with British gold marks, suspension ring and mount to the ribbon, by means of a gold bar, the original ribbon, also fitted with a typical, gold buckle. Breast Star of an early Type, 75 mm, chiselled and pierced silver rays forming a cross, centre medallion also made of chiselled silver, with three Royal crowns, red enameled outer circlet with applied, accurately engraved order’s motto with an inner and outer thin border of twisted gold wire, the whole enclosed in a thick, green enameled laurel wreath with orange berries and below, a deep-sea blue enameled scroll with the motto “ICH DIEN” in gold lettering, the reverse with vertical, gold pin, centre disc with engraved maker’s mark of Rundell, Bridge and Rundell and engraved naming “ADMIRAL SIR HENRY TROLLOPE”. Excellent quality and condition and, being named, unique.
Sir Henry Trollope (April 20th 1756 – November 2nd 1839), entered the navy at 14 during the American Revolutionary war, fighting in 1775-76 at Lexington, Bunker Hill and the siege of Boston, serving under the Earl of Dunmore during the campaigns of Virginia and Rhode Island. He then took part to further campaigns. Appointed Post Captain, he lived in Wales, returning to sea service in 1790, commanding the 38-gun Prudente, then the carronadegunned Rainbow and Glatton, showing excellent commanding and combat qualities, attacking and destroying stronger enemy forces (he became famous for his skills in the combat with this type of naval gun, being later nicknamed as “Carronade Crazy”), in 1797, Trollope succeeded in avoiding that his and another ship’s crew could join to a mutiny (the so-called Nore mutiny), by threatening to open fire. For his distinguished conduct at the battle of Camperdown, he was made Khight of the Order of the Bath, elevated to Commander in 1820, then to Knight Commander and eventually to Grand Cross in 1831. Made Rear Admiral in 1801 and Admiral in 1812, he didn’t serve with this rank in an active role. His old age was marked by episodes of insanity and eventually died by suicide on November 2nd 1839 (see The Glasgow Herald, Nov. 11th 1839, page 4: “Dreadful suicide of Admiral Sir Henry Trollope”, with the detailed report of the fact, after official sources). We would like to hereby quote an interesting note about his elevation to Commander, being well documented and described from what reported in the London Gazette, then published in: “Bulletin of State Intelligence & c.” Westminster, R.G. Clarke, 1820: page 302-303: “Carlton House, July 19, 1820 CEREMONIAL of the investiture of Admiral Sir Henry Trollope, Knt. and Admiral Sir Henry D’Esterre with the Ensigns of Knights Commanders of the Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath. By command of the Sovereign, Admiral Sir Henry Trollope was introduced into the Presence, with the usual reverences, preceded by Sir George Nayler (the Officer of Arms attendant upon the Knights Commanders), bearing upon a crimson cushion, the star, ribband, and badge of the second class of the Order. Then His Royal Highness the Duke of York and of Albany, First and Principal Knight Grand Cross of the Order, having received from the Officer of Arms the ribband and badge of a Knight Commander, presented the same to the Sovereign, and, Sir Henry Trollope kneeling, His Majesty was graciously pleased to invest him therewith. The Admiral rising, had the honour to kiss the Sovereign’s hand, and having received from his Majesty the star of a Knight Commander, retired. Sir Henry Trollope was not knighted upon this occasion, having formerly received that honour. I RR!