Featured Stephen and the 'Anarchy'

Essentially, although the English Kings were never considered vassals for their English lands. The thing to keep in mind is that the French Kings were very weak, and could do little to control their vassals. And while technically they would be vassals for their French lands, I don't believe Henry II ever did homage to the king of France (him being a king in his own right). Always remember that while these men may rule multiple principalities, they never united them. Thus, they were counts or dukes or even kings of various territories which were considered separate.

 

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Loved the write-up. Have been very interested in Stephen and Maud (Matilde) after reading all of Ellis Peters' Cadfael novels.

Steve

 

Map. from Wikipedia of t he North Sea Empire under the reign of Cnut, ruling as king of all Anglia.


North Sea Empire
Stamford, Anglia
Cnut the Great (r. AD 1016 -1035)
AR Penny 18.2 mm x 1.00 grams (c. AD 1021-1035)
Obverse: The helmeted bust of Cnut left holding a scepter with 3 lobes.+ CNVT REX A
Reverse: Short cross with 4 pellets and 2 extra opposing pellets. + THVRSTAN ON STA

 

Great history. Thank you for the write-up and the coins.


guy

 

I started picking up English hammered coins about 2 years ago. Compared to US colonials they are a bargain, older and more book work to determine mint and type. Thanks for the post

 

My favorite family, the Plantagenets. I'm currently reading a book about them. From the "White Ship Disaster" to Richard II.



Edward I (who called himself Edward IV, as 3 others before him to take the throne were Edward) is one of my favorite historical people. I collect his coins. Thanks for the write up!

 

My penny of King Stephen:


"Watford" type variant without the inner circle around the king's portrait. Moneyer Sigvert of Lincoln. The legend is nearly impossible to read but I found a die match to identify it.



And here is a coin of Stephen of Blois' older brother Theobald II, count of Champagne:



Theobald was generally friendly to his younger brother, and campaigned with him when they were young. He was a preferred candidate for king of England by some, but Stephen benefited from good luck; he had a bout of dysentery and missed the famous "White Ship" which took the life of Henry's son and heir. One of the few times you can really say you were glad to have diarrhea. Later, he was in northern France when Henry I died, and he was able to get to England to make a claim for the throne before his older brother could beat him to the punch. Stephen had enough problems in England and made nice with his brother and they remained on pretty good terms, as far as I can tell.

The early 12th century "Anarchy" is a fascinating time period. The irregularity and poor manufacture of the coins only adds to this era's mystique. It was also a terrible time to be a peasant.

It is a confusing time, with warfare and shifting alliances, and to make things more difficult the Normans refused to use more than 4 or 5 names to call themselves themselves, so you get lots of different Williams, Roberts, Eustaces, Theobalds, and of course Matildas.

 

Oh boy another chance to post Big Willy C!

Great write up - totally enjoyed it. Big Willy needs a write up.

Anglia, Bristol
William I, (r. AD 1066-1087)
AR Penny (s. AD 1085-1087)
19mm x 1.37 grams
Obverse: + PILLELMREX, bust facing
Reverse:BIHTPORD ON BRIC, Cross P A X S in angles. (Brihtword on Bristol)
Ref: Spink (2014) -1257, for mispelling cf BNJ 1909 pg.8 citing Beaworth 3
Note: Pretty high grade, toned.

 

That is a great coin of a very significant ruler. Here is my Plantagenet penny, Henry III.

 

Awesome coins all! I like the Thibauld @Nap - I have one of his son/grandson either Henry I or II (Roberts claims it's Henry II, but I'm not sure how they know):


French Feudal, Champagne
Henry II, r. 1181-1197
Provins Mint, AR Denier 18.4 mm x 1.0 grams
Obv.: CASTRI PRVVINS. Comb of Champagne, 'V' made of three triangles above, annulet on either side, legend beginning at 10hr.
Rev.: +HENRI COMES. Cross Pattee, pellet in first quarter, omega in second, alpha in third, and annulet in fourth
Ref.: Roberts, 4727 variety, De Wit 512-13 variety

It seems to me the Thibauld pieces are better struck than Henry's. I did a write-up on this coin and some related issues here

 

Great, now I want to get more medieval coins.

 

Ancients are the dark side - medievals are the bastard children. Come join us in our obscure little corner...

 

Little? From my vantage point, our little corner is getting quite crowded.

 

Great Write Up! Im very glad to see more medieval collectors here on the site as I am one myself! Love reading about this history! Thank you!

 

The truth is that most of us ancient collectors like to dable a little in medieval coinage. We may not have extensive medieval collections like a dedicated medievalist such as yourself, but if you ask around this forum for medieval coins, you are bound to see some sweet ones being posted.

I may be an ancients collectors, but I enjoy seeing threads on medieval coins, and I can't wait to see what you have. I don't think we need a separate forum for medievals. Us ancients folks appreciate most/all hand made coins and the history behind them, whether they be ancient, medieval, or more modern.

And all this medieval focus in the past 24 hours is making me want more of them. It's been a while since I've purchased a hammered coin. I think I may have to rectify that shortly.