Physical Description

A smooth circular medal with a raised border, constructed of gold. The obverse features a laurel wreath that’s open at the top and tied at the bottom by a ribbon. In the centre is the monogram ‘MF’ with a crown in the style for a prince-elector. At the bottom is the stamp cutter’s signature ‘LINDENSCHMIT’. The reverse features the goddess of victory on a cloud, holding a laurel wreath in her right hand, pointing to the bottom with her left hand towards a number of war trophies, including flags, a drum, and a cannon with two cannon balls. The centre features the inscription ‘DAS VATERLAND SEINEM TAPFEREN VERTHEIDIGER’ (‘from the fatherland to its brave defender’) in four lines. On a large oval loop for suspension, on a red (left) and white (right) ribbon.

History

The Bravery Medal was established by Maximilian Franz, the Archduke of Austria, and was conferred upon members of the Electorate of Cologne’s standing army who demonstrated bravery in the face of the enemy.

The medal was conferred upon the members of a Colognian infantry and artillery battalion, who participated in the defence of Fortress Ehrenbreitstein, which occurred between the years 1795 and 1799.