Cross for the Defense of Rosas, 1808

Officer’s Cross in gilt Bronze, ball-tipped cross, with rose enameled arms, surmounted by a green enameled laurel wreath; on the white obverse medallion, an image of the breach in the wall of the fortress of Rosas, above which is a Spanish flag; the whole within white enameled outer circlet inscribed “CON BRECHA ME DEFENDI”; on the reverse, blue enameled medallion, three red roses within enameled outer circlet inscribed “A LOS DEFENSORES DE ROSAS POR FERNANDO VII”; with original, silk ribbon.A very rare campaign cross from the Napoleonic wars, instituted by Royal Decree from May 2nd, 1821 as a reward to the meritorious defenders of the fortress of Rosas and of the Castle of the St. Trinity, Catalunya under the command of Peter O’Daly, who fell on the field during the fierce combats against overwhelming Franco-Italian forces; excellent condition. Dim.: 72,0 x 45,0 mm. I RR!