Medal - Philip II Hommage - City of Utrecht; Battle of Lepanto

Reverse

King Philip II mounted on a dolphin.

Script: Latin

Lettering: OTHOMANICA CLASSE DELETA.

Translation: The Turkish fleet destroyed

Comment

Milford Haven I. 657
Madai 2497
MH 657

The Battle of Lepanto took place on 7 October 1571 when the combined fleets of the Holy League (Spain, including their territories of Naples, Sicily and Sardinia, the Republic of Venice, the Papacy, the Republic of Genoa, the Duchy of Savoy, and the Knights Hospitaller), commanded by Don Juan of Austria, decisively defeated the Ottoman fleet in a five-hour battle fought at the northern edge of the Gulf of Patras, off Western Greece. The Holy League's fleet consisted of some 284 vessels with 1815 guns, manned by 12,920 sailors and almost 28,000 fighting troops. They faced 277 vessels with 750 guns, manned by 13,000 sailors and 34,000 soldiers. The League lost 7,500 dead and 17 ships, whilst the Turkish losses were enormous, with 20,000 dead, wounded or captured, 137 ships captured and 50 sunk. About 10,000 Christian galley slaves were rescued. Lepanto was the last major naval battle fought largely between rowing vessels and the victory gave the Holy League temporary control over the Mediterranean, protected Rome from invasion, and prevented the Ottomans from advancing further into Europe.