Henry VI Penny, Rosette Mascle Issue, Durham for Bishop Langley

Henry VI, first reign (1422-61),silver long cross Penny, Durham Mint, Rosette-Mascle issue (1430-31), ecclesiastical issue under Bishop Langley, facing crowned bust in beaded circle, star to left of crown, initial mark plain cross, legend surrounding, beaded outer border,+hEnRICVSx REX◊ AnGLIE,rev.long cross pattée, tri-pellets in each inner angle, beaded circles and legend around, CIVI TAS DVNO LmI◊, the O struck over n, weight 0.90g (N.1452; S.1869).Weak in parts, toned a bold very fine for issue and rare.

The Latin abbreviated legend translates as "Henry, King of the England" and on the reverse "City of Durham."

Thomas Langley (circa 1363-20^th November 1437) born in Middleton, Lancashire, attended Corpus Christi College until it was ransacked by poll tax rioters on 15^th June 1381. Returning home he was appointed Rector of Radcliffe in 1385 and Arch Deacon of Norfolk in 1399. He was appointed Dean of York in 1401 which was blocked by the Pope Boniface IX due to the part he played in the deposition of Richard II. Whereupon he became keeper of the Privy Seal until 1405. He was appointed Bishop of London in October 1404 but installation was blocked by Pope Innocent XVII, whereupon he became Chancellor for the first time. He was installed as Bishop of Durham in St Pauls Cathedral London in 1406 and he resigned as Chancellor in 1407. He was present at the death of Henry IV in 1413 as his executor and continued to serve the crown under Henry V as a politician before church man. He delivered the gold seal of England in a white purse to the infant King Henry VI in 1422, and returned home to Middleton in 1424. He attended his diocese from 1430 when this coin would have been struck, until his passing in 1437. He founded Durham School in his lifetime too.