News:

Read all about the Grand Numismatic Alliance

Main Menu

English Norman Coinage

Started by Deeman, January 17, 2022, 02:43:56 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Deeman

William, Earl of York – Stephen camp

William le Gros, so-called from his great physical strength and size, was Count of Aumale (or Albemarle) and one of the most powerful barons of northern England at the opening of Stephen's reign. He witnessed two charters of Stephen in 1136, in which he is recorded as Willelmus de Albamarla, but is not placed among the earls. He distinguished himself at the Battle of the Standard in 1138 and was made Earl of York as his reward, with considerable power and influence in the running of the county on behalf of the Crown. As part of this work, William constructed a castle on the headland above Scarborough. He was with Stephen when he was defeated by Matilda at Lincoln on 2 Feb 1141. His Scarborough Castle was forfeited to Henry II as a result of unauthorised construction during the Anarchy.






1140s Probable attribution to William, Earl of York, warrior standing penny.
Obverse inscription is +WILLELMVS circumscribing helmeted and armoured full-length figure standing right, holding sword in right hand, annulets decorating sword hilt, ornament in field to left.
Reverse design is a barred cross pattée with central annulet in quatrefoil, others annulet on cusps and in each spandrel., surrounded by ornaments. York mint.

Design is very similar to coins attributed to Eustace FitzJohn who was, at the time, a supporter of Matilda. Somewhat strange for such coins from the same workshop to be issued by protagonists on opposite sides of the war.

Deeman

Henry of Anjou coinage

Following the retreat of Matilda from Oxford Castle and her 'handover' of the war to Robert of Gloucester, coins began to be struck in her son Henry's name. From the appearance of these types in comparison to official issues struck for Stephen, it appears that coins in Henry's name were struck from c. 1142 right up to about 1150. Production apparently was re-initiated on Henry's return to England in 1153, where he decisively defeated Stephen in battle and later that year ratified the Treaty of Westminster ensuring his succession.

Deeman

Henry of Anjou pennies



Henry of Anjou, obverse from Stephen type 1, reverse from Henry I type 15.
Obverse design is a crowned and diademed bust right holding sceptre with a circumscription that would have been similar to +hENRICVS REX.
Reverse inscription is G[...]MER:ON:BR[...] circumscribing a cross fleury over concave quadrilateral with floriate points, pellet in each quadrant of quadrilateral. Moneyer, Godimer of Bristol.






Henry of Anjou, obverse and reverse from Stephen type 1.
Obverse design is a crowned and diademed bust right holding sceptre fleury with a circumscription that would have been similar to +hENRICVS REX.
Reverse inscription is [+I]ORDANVS ON MELMS[...] circumscribing a cross moline, the claws joined to make an eight foil, annulet at end of each limb, fleur-de-lis from the junction of two claws in each angle. Moneyer, Jordanus of Malmesbury.






Henry of Anjou, king with cap, reverse from Henry I type 15.
Obverse inscription is +hENRICVS [R]EX circumscribing a bust right holding sceptre botonnée wearing round cap (un-ornamented square crown).
Reverse inscription is +ROBERTVS ON WI[...] circumscribing a cross fleury over concave quadrilateral with floriate points, pellet in each quadrant of quadrilateral. Moneyer, Robertus of Wallingford.






Henry of Anjou, king with cap variant.
Elongated portrait, annulet mouth, sceptre fleury with pellet at midpoint of shaft.






Henry of Anjou, king with cap variant.
Squat portrait, thick lips, single pellet forming chin, sceptre botonnée with multiple pellets on shaft.

Deeman

Henry of Anjou cut halfpennies



Henry of Anjou, crowned bust, cut halfpenny.






Henry of Anjou, bust with cap, cut halfpenny.