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GM24294

Henry I Penny, profile / cross fleury type, Chichester Mint, Moneyer Brand

Regular price £2,250
Regular price Sale price £2,250

Henry I (1100-35), silver Penny, profile / cross fleury type (c.1102), Chichester Mint, moneyer Brand, crowned bust facing left with sceptre extending to bottom of coin, legend and beaded borders surrounding, +HENRIIC, rev. cross fleury within beaded circle, legend and beaded border surrounding, +BRIIND ON CIC, weight 1.39g (BMC type II; N.858; S.1263A). Lightly toned, struck a little off-centre, good very fine and rare.

The legends translate as "Henry " on obverse and "Brand of Chichester" on the reverse.

North records only three moneyers working at Chichester for Henry I and nobody for type 2. Only activity is for type 4, possibly 6 and 7, and then 8 to 14 inclusive.

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 2nd 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 3rd 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 1st 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.

Situated 13 miles east of Portsmouth, Chichester is mentioned in the Burghal Hidage and was harried by the Danes in 895. The Bishopric seat was moved here from Selsey in 1075, and in 1114 "through culpable carelessness" the City including the minster were burnt. Minting activity first occurs under Aethelstan, then Edgar and then from Aethelred II to Stephen. The mint was later revived here in 1205 with one die for the Bishop and one for the King in the reign of John.

Provenance:

Ex Baldwin Auction 80, 5th May 2013, lot 2319.

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

Ex Silbury

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