Pewter Button - Bell or Cap, Book, Sword?

[leigh kitchen]

Can anyone identify this pewter button please?
It measures 1" / 25 mm across.
I can't make out the wording, the central design appears to be a book with a bell or cap above, and a fist holding a sword, possibly a seax or scimitar.

[mike_vee]

This site has some info :

The unusual character of the regiment was set by its first Major, John Cartwright, who designed its regimental button: a cap of liberty resting on a book, with an arm holding a drawn sword, and the motto “Pro legibus et libertate”.

“Soldiers of the People”: the liberty caps of the Nottinghamshire Marksmen

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[mike_vee]

From "Royal Sherwood Foresters Militia" Wiki page

American War of Independence

While the regiment was stationed at Hull it practised musketry to good effect and gained the unofficial nickname 'Nottinghamshire Marksmen', which it used on recruiting advertisements for substitutes.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_...e_note-Mars-50

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[leigh kitchen]

Thank you - I've had this button for decades, (since around 1970-75, picked it up in one of the little shops under Charing Cross Station along with pewter "SUSSEX", "67" and "69").

I've never had a clue as to the identity of this one.

Thanks, again, chuffed to football boots that it's I.'D.d.

[leigh kitchen]

Originally Posted by mike_vee

This site has some info :



“Soldiers of the People”: the liberty caps of the Nottinghamshire Marksmen

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An excerpt from the site, which also shows a photo of the pewter button:

"In 1759, perhaps swayed by popular discontent, Nottinghamshire had declined to respond to the militia ballot by raising its regiment, preferring to pay heavy fines in lieu. In 1775, the county at last resolved to raise and embody its regiment, comprising six battalion companies and two flank under Colonel Lord George Sutton. At the time it was styled as the “Nottingham Marksmen” – a possible nod to Robin Hood, and, if so, a hint at the dissenting radicalism that marked its early years. The unusual character of the regiment was set by its first Major, John Cartwright, who designed its regimental button: a cap of liberty resting on a book, with an arm holding a drawn sword, and the motto “Pro legibus et libertate”. "

[mike_vee]

A very interesting button !

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[Home Guard]

VERY cool button!!!

Terry

[leigh kitchen]

The wording on the button:

“Pro legibus et libertate” "Mil. Com. Nott."

(“For our Laws and Liberties.” “Militia of the County of Nottingham”).

[mike_vee]

Originally Posted by leigh kitchen

The wording on the button:

“Pro legibus et libertate” "Mil. Com. Nott."

(“For our Laws and Liberties.” “Militia of the County of Nottingham”).

Also :

“Mil. Com. Nott.”, a Latinisation of “Militia of the County of Nottingham”. The same title appears on the cap plate worn by Captain George Nevile of the Grenadier company in a fine portrait circa 1775

[leigh kitchen]

Seen, ta.
I'd always thought that if military it would perhaps be a Yeomanry one, but then I know very little of insignia of that era.

I "like" the comment "Many of the protesters in Nottinghamshire feared being forced into overseas service if they were selected by lot: some said that they would rather be hanged in England than scalped in America."