Medals and miniatures played an important role in expressing and encouraging loyalty to the exiled dynasty. Both forms are small and easily concealed, an important consideration given that supporting the Stuarts was a treasonable offence in Britain (although the authorities rarely prosecuted makers or owners of Jacobite imagery).  Miniature portraits helped circulate the features of the young Stuart heirs, Charles and Henry. This is the first image of Charles to show the prince in armour, a reference to his appearance at the Siege of Gaeta in August 1734.