A JAMES I SILVER-GILT MEDAL

Nicholas Wadham, a wealthy Somerset landowner, died in 1609. In his will he left funds for the founding of what became Wadham College at Oxford University. The fulfilment of his rather vague design was due to his widow Dorothy Wadham, a remarkable woman in her late seventies who not only provided a large part of the original endowment, but carried through the negotiations for a Royal charter, purchased a site and chose architects to such effect that the original buildings were completed and the College ready to receive students in 1613. She died in 1618, aged 84, at which time this medal was struck.