‘Spectacular’ treasures return to Orkney 318 years after being given to captain “Spectacular” treasures awarded to an Orcadian naval officer for his actions during an 18th century siege have returned to Orkney after his family gifted them to the islands.
Captain James Moodie, of Melsetter on Hoy, was presented with the items by Archduke Charles of Austria – the future Emperor Charles VI – in 1707, following the siege of Denia in Spain during the War of the Spanish Succession.
The collection also includes an autographed letter from the Archduke, commending Capt Moodie to British monarch Queen Anne for his actions in the Archduke’s home city, and a portrait of the Orcadian believed to have been painted by Thomas Murray.
The collection – known as the Moodie treasures – includes three “aesthetically stunning” Ottoman weapons: a scimitar (curved sword) and scabbard, a mace, and a dagger with sheath, all of which date from the 1660s.
Following a naval career that spanned five decades during which he reached the rank of commodore, Capt Moodie retired to Melsetter House on Hoy.
