Henry I Penny, Voided Cross & Fleurs type, Bedford Mint, Moneyer Negel

Henry I (1100-35), silver cut Halfpenny, voided cross and fleurs type (c.1106), Bedford Mint, Moneyer Negelvs , half the facing bust with sceptre apparent, legend partly visible +hENR, rev. half apparent voided cross with two fleurs visible, -S: ON: B-, weight 0.48g (BMC type V; Allen, BNJ 2012, p.85, note 236; SCBI Scottish 53:238, same dies; BNJ Coin Register 2005, 210, this coin; N.861; S.1266). Dark tone, weak legend but design elements well struck, very fine and very rare.

The legends translate as "Henry King" on obverse and on the reverse "Negel of Bedford."

North records up to five moneyers working at Bedford for Henry I but nobody in type 5, only activity for 8, 10, 13 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.

Situated nearly 50 miles north-west of London in the Ouse valley, Edward the Elder secured the submission of Thurketil at Bedford in 914, the commanding Earl of the Viking Army based here and subsequently occupied the town in 915. It was later raided by the Danes in 1010 and the castle here was besieged by King Stephen in 1136. Minting activity occurs here from the time of Eadwig until Henry II.

Provenance:

Found East Anglia, EMC 2004.0037 and sold by Mike Vosper 2004.

Ex Marshal Faintich Collection, Triton XV, Classical Numismatic Group, 4^th January 2012, lot 1879.

Ex Marvin Lessen, North York Moors Collection, part 2, 3^rd July 2019, lot 392.

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