Louis I de Bourbon (1707-1724), King of Spain, was the son of Philip V de Bourbon, King of Spain and Mary Louise (Gabrielle) de Savoie, Princess of Sardinia. Louise Elizabeth d'Orleans (1709-1742) (Mademoiselle de Montpensier) was the daughter of Philippe II d'Orleans, Duke of Orleans, and Francoise Marie De Blois. Louise Elizabeth married Louis I of Spain in 1723, the event commemorated by this medal. (It may be noted that according to the medal, which was struck contemporary with the period, the marriage took place in 1721).

Philip II (1674-1723), Duke of Orleans (1701-1723), regent of France, was the son of Philip I, Duke of Orleans (1640-1701) (who was the brother of Louis XIV and the son of Louis XIII). He fought at Sternkerk, Neewinden and Namur. He was successful in campaigns in Italy and Spain but his suspected desire to succeed Philip V, King of Spain, gained him Louis XIV’s disfavor. In 1715 he was appointed president of the council of regency of the young King Louis XV, and on Louis XIV’s death he invested himself with absolute power. On the majority of King Louis XV in1723, he relinquished his supreme power but became first minister to the king until his death later that year. Although Philip had great administrative abilities, he lacked moral restraint, and his regency was one of the most corrupt periods in French history.