I usually stick to just the kings and queens when I add coins to my British collection. In this case I made an exception because this historical figure is interesting. This piece has heavy "ghosting" on the obverse, but the wording is strong. Here is the legend: Legend: “ED'PO'G'TR EG AGLE L” Full obverse legend in Latin: "Edwardvs primo genitvs Regis anglie Princeps Aqvitanie" Translation: "Edward, first born of the King of England, Prince of Aquitaine" Reverse "Princeps Aquitanie" for "Prince of Aquitaine." The Hardi d’ Argent coins were struck in France during the Hundred Years War for use in English held France. Here are the bullets from my book on the Black Prince: · The Black Prince may not have been known by that name during his lifetime. The name first appears in notes by John Leland in the 1530s or early 1540s. He noted at the time that was in widespread use at that point. · It has been suggested that the name could refer to two sources. (1) The prince may have carried a black shield or his suit of armor may have been black. (2) His reputation for brutality, especially toward the French in Aquitaine. From contemporary accounts from the French, this title was well deserved. · The Black Prince’s first title was as the Duke of Cornwall. Later he became the first English royal to receive the title, the Duke of Whales. Prior to that, Welsh princes held the title. · The Black Prince is viewed as one of the most successful commanders during the Hundred Years War. The English regarded him as model of chivalry and one of the great knights of his age. · He commanded the vanguard in the Battle of Crécy. He took part in the 1349 Calais Expedition. · He pillaged Avignonet and Castelnaudary, sacked Carcassonne, and plundered Narbonne. The next year (1356) on another chevauchee he ravaged Auvergne, Limousin and Berry but failed to take Bourges. He offered Poitiers. He terms of peace to King John II of France, who had outflanked him near , but refused to surrender himself as the price of their acceptance. This led to the Battle of Poitiers where his army routed the French and took King John prisoner. · Instead of fighting the next war in northern France, the Black Prince was lured into a civil war in Iberia. The war was over Castilian crown between Pedro the Cruel and his half-brother, Henry of Tastamara. Pedro had been aligned with the French, but he switched to the English, which got the Black Prince involved. · The Black Prince’s forces easily won the war for Pedro the Cruel, but two things happened. First, the English lingered in Iberia and many of them contracted tropical diseases, including the Black Prince. Second, Pedro could not pay England what he had promised. The British, already heavily in debt, fell in to greater financial problems. They tried to collect high taxes from the citizens of Aquitaine which cost them important political support. · The Black Prince’s health was shattered. He died at age 45, which made his son, Richard, the next in line for the crown. Richard would become king at age 9.
Wonderful and highly desirable New piece! Michael Jones has a terrific book on the man, simply titled, The Black Prince. A very rewarding read. His Royal blackness, with his army, was left to die by dad, Edward III, in enemy lands with no reinforcements... Twice! And the guy still came out on top. One day I hope to own a coin in his name.
His funeral achievements in replica form still hang above his tomb in Canterbury Cathedral whilst the remaining originals are in the basement museum.
Congrats on the attractive Hardi of Edward of Woodstock @johnmilton I think his coins are some of the most visually appealing of all the Anglo-Gallic coins. I've picked up a few hardi from his reign, my most attractive one is below. An interesting point about the Castilian Civil War is that after the teary of Bretigny brought peace to France, both the French and English both sides needed and outlet for the unemployed mercenary bands that were cause great damage in their respective lands. At the same time neither side was willing to let the other gain the upper hand in Castile. The ensuing Battle of Najera was a who's who of the 100 Years War, with John Chandos, John of Gaunt, and Bertrand did Guesclin all fighting in the battle along with Edward.
Excellent write-up, @johnmilton ! What a great coin. The ghosting makes it very interesting! LOL, my Mother always called me the Black Prince when I was growing up...
