Henry I Penny, Full face / Cross fleury type, Pevensey Mint, Moneyer Alfred

Henry I (1100-35), silver Penny, full face / cross fleury type (c.1117), Pevensey Mint, Moneyer Alfred, facing crowned and diademed head within beaded circle, legend and outer beaded circle surrounding, commences at top, +hENRICVS EX A, the S prone, rev. cross fleury within beaded circle, legend and outer beaded circle surrounding, +ALFRED ON PEVE, weight 1.37g (BMC type X; Allen, BNJ 2012, p.97, note 425; N.861; S.1271). Toned, a little weak at two corresponding parts of legend both sides, otherwise very fine and extremely rare being one of four coins known of this mint for the entire reign.

The legends translate as "Henry King of the English" on obverse and "Alfred of Pevensey" on the reverse.

North records only this moneyer working at Pevensey for Henry I in types 9, 10 and 14.

The fourth son of William the Conqueror, the "fine scholar" Henry Beauclerc as he was known acceded to the throne of England on the death of his childless elder brother William Rufus, who died after a hunting accident in the New Forest on 2^nd August 1100. Well educated Henry had been left landless when his Father died with the Kingdoms shared between the two eldest surviving brothers Robert and William, though he did purchase the county of Cotentin from his eldest brother Robert in western Normandy, but was later deposed from there in 1091, and subsequently, gradually rebuilt his power there with the help of elder brother William against Robert. Upon the death of William Rufus, and being present in the area at that time, he immediately became King promising to correct the less popular policies of his late brother. Henry married Matilda of Scotland with whom he had a son William Aethling and a daughter the Empress Matilda, as well as various other illegitimate children. His elder brother Robert invaded in 1101 disputing Henry's control, but this was settled by a pact recognising Henry as King of England. Henry later invaded Normandy in 1105 and 1106 defeating Robert eventually in the Battle of Tinchebray imprisoning his brother until his death on 3^rd February 1134 in Cardiff Castle. Henry then controlled Normandy for which he was subsequently challenged by Robert's son William Clito who was supported by Fulk V of Anjou, Baldwin VII of Flanders and Louis VI of France, resulting in major rebellions within the Duchy from 1116-19. Eventually a peace settlement was agreed in 1120 after Henry's victory at the Battle of Bremule.

Henry was an effective leader who drew his nobles and barons close whilst using the government justice and taxation systems to the best effect boosting the Royal Exchequer, along with Normandy and its own independent system. He also encouraged ecclesiastical reform playing a major role in selecting senior clergy, though he did have a serious earlier dispute with Archbishop Anselm of Canterbury in 1101 eventually resolved through a compromise in 1105. Unfortunately, Henry's son and heir apparent William drowned in the White Ship sinking disaster of 1120 and Henry entered a second marriage in the hope of another son, but the union with Adeliza of Louvain remained childless. He therefore declared Matilda his heir and married her to Geoffrey of Anjou in 1128 but the relationship between them all became strained with fighting along the Anjou border. Henry subsequently died on 1^st December 1135 after a week of illness and despite his plan for succession it was Stephen of Blois his nephew that succeeded him which led to a Civil War.

The castle and village of Pevensey are built on the site of a Roman fortification and is where William the Conqueror first landed on English soil in 1066 en route to the Battle of Hastings which is twelve miles away, with the actual confrontation further inland on Senlac Hill at Battle. William's men constructed a bank and ditch fort within the Roman walls which was the foundation of the castle becoming a Norman stronghold, and where Gilbert de Clare was attacked by Stephen in 1147. Minting activity occurs through the Norman Kings from William I to Stephen.

Provenance:

Ex a stray coin from Beauvais Hoard sold by a French dealer to Peter Mitchell of A. H. Baldwin 1987 and therefore not in the Glendining sale of the hoard on 4^th November 1987 or amongst the 36 other coins listed at the front of the catalogue, sold on to Dr William J. Conte late 1988.

Ex Classical Numismatic Group, June 2002.

Ex Marvin Lessen, North York Moors Collection, part 2, 3^rd July 2019, lot 404.

Ex Collection of an English Doctor part II, Sovereign Rarities fixed price list online May 2022.