ST URBAIN, Ferdinand de: Lorraine, ca.1727, Bronze, 47 mm
Obv: Bust of Charles III (l)    CAROLVS. III. D. G. CAL. LOTH. BAR. GEL. DVX.
Rev: Bust (r)   CLAVDIA. A. FRANCIA. CAL. LOTH. BAR. GEL. DVCISSA
Signed: SV
Ref: Forrer V, p. 310 # 48
From the Series of Dukes and Duchesses of Lorraine (The entire series was executed between 1727 and 1731).

Charles III (1543-1608), called The Great, Duke of Lorraine from 1545 until his death in 1608, was a son of Duke Francis I and a descendant of René of Anjou. He was born in Nancy and was brought up at the court of Henry II of France. In 1559 Charles married Claude of Valois, Princess of France, daughter of King Henry II and Catherine de Medici. The union of this couple, Charles III, Duke of Lorraine, and Claudia of France, Duchess of Lorraine, is commemorated by this medal.

Charles took part in the wars of religion in France and was a member of the Holy league. The duke was an excellent ruler of Lorraine. He had three sons: Henry and Francis, who became in turn dukes of Lorraine, and Charles, bishop of Metz and Strasbourg. His daughter, Elisabeth Renata, married Maximilian I, Elector of Bavaria.