Penny, 20 mm, 1.23gr. Obv: +EDELRED REX ANGL*OR, center bust left. Rev: +DANFINX M* O EOFRI, center small cross. The legend refers to Dagfinnr of York, moneyer. S. 1154, N 777. Contemporary French coin: Robert II.

He was son of Edgar (king) and Elfrida. He came to the throne on the death of his half brother. He had an interrupted reign, abdicating in favor of  Sweyn in 1013 and coming to the throne again after Sweyn's death just a year later. By his first marriage to Elgiva he might have had as many as 13 children, although there is uncertainty. By his second marriage to Emma, daughter of the Duke of Normandy, he had three children, one of whom, Edward the Confessor, ultimately succeeded him. He was known as the 'unraed' or 'unrede.' which means 'without counsel.'

His reign was interrupted by the usurpation of Sweyn, son of Harold Bluetooth, king of Denmark. Sweyn claimed the throne by right of conquest, but enjoyed its privileges for less than a year before he died and Ethelred was able to reclaim the throne.

Penny, quarterfoil (1030-35/6) 17mm, .93gr. Obv: CNUT REX, bust left, with scepter. Rev: text, short cross, center circle enclosing pellet. S1159, N 790. Contemporary French coin: Robert II.

He was born in Denmark about 995 and was the son of Swegn Forkbeard, King of Denmark. "Cnut was acclaimed king by the Danish fleet in England in 1014 but was forced to leave. He returned in 1015 and in 1016..(Seaby)" he claimed the crown of England by right of conquest, when he defeated Edmund II who came to the crown in 1016 but didn't survive the year. He also became king of Denmark in 1018/19 and of Norway in 1028, by right of conquest. He married Emma, who was the widow of Ethelred II. They had three children and one son, Harthacanute, succeeded him.

Penny, 17mm, 1.03gr. Obv: EDWERD REX, bust left, radiate crown. Rev: text, small cross pattee. S. 1173, N 816. Mint: Thetford, moneyer Leopine (?) or Leofwine (?). Contemporary French coin: Philip 1.

He came to the throne after the death of his half brother via his mother, Emma of Normandy rather than through his father Ethelred II. Edward married Edith, daughter of the earl of Wessex, but is popularly believed to have never consummated the marriage, for religious reasons on his part. Therefore, on his death he had no direct heir, but granted the throne to Harold II, a strong personage but who was unable to fend off both attacks in the north and south. His death opened the succession to William of Normandy. He is the only canonized English king.

Penny, PAXS type (1083-86?), 20mm, 1.34gr. Obv: WILLELM REX, facing bust, scepter right. Rev: EDPPOLD O(N) NORD. center cross with design in each quadrant. Mint: Norwich. S. 1257, N 848. Contemporary French coin:  Philip 1.
This was apparently a rare coin before a large hoard was found in the 19th C. Tom Buttrey, citing martin Allen, offered this post in response to a query about the find: "Beauworth (location), found 1833 by boys playing hookey from morning service on Sunday morning.  They threw a lot into the village pond.  Estimated at 12,000 pennies = £50.  First published in Archaeologia vol. 26, 1836. Summarized in B.A.Thompson's Inventory of British Coin Hoards, no. 37. Michael Metcalf in Yorkshire Numismatist vol.1, 1998, looked at the subject again. -- information from Dr. Martin Allen, Fitzwilliam Museum. Cambridge."

William was the illegitimate son of the duke of Normandy (and Herleva) who seized the British throne by right of conquest. His argument was that he had been promised the crown by Edward the Confessor. To come to the throne he had to defeat Harold at Senlac Ridge, about 11 miles from Hastings. He was also duke of Normandy, which set up a complicated relationship with the king of France, one which was not ultimately resolved until after the 100 Years War, ending in the 15th century.

William brought Norman values to Britain, and rewarded his followers with lands and titles in Britain. This Norman influx introduce early  feudalism to Britain. William was crowned in Westminster Abbey, built by Edward the Confessor and the future home of British coronations. His control in England was uncertain and he sought to fortify his positions, including the construction of the Tower in London.

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Penny, 20 mm 1.36gr. Obv: PILLEMVS REX, crowned facing bust. Rev: LIPPORD ON S_DE, central cross with four annulets with letters PAXS (Peace). Mint is Southwark. S 1256; C:W11D-04; North, JJ. 848. Gift from Jeffrey Carlson and Donna  Culbreth.

William ll 1087-1100

AR penny, quadrilateral on cross fleury type, circa 1125-35, 19mm, 1.33gr. Obv: HE(NRICUS), crowned bust, 3/4 figure, with scepter. Rev: +WI(LLEM ON) CANT, cross with lis. Mint is Canterbury, Moneyer is Willem (according to seller). S1276, J.J. North 871. Ex (J.J.) North Collection. The contemporary French kings are Philip 1 and Louis VI.

Henry was son of William the conqueror and succeeded to the throne on the death of his brother (William Rufus). He married Matilda, daughter of Malcolm III, king of Scotland. The marriage blended royal Norman and Saxon lines, to the disgust of the Barons but acceptance of the commoners. They had four children. He then married Adeliza and they had seven children. He was succeeded by his nephew, Steven even though he asked his Barons to recognize his daughter Matilda (born with the name Adelaide). He died of food poisoning in Normandy.

He spent a lot of time  procreating (in addition to his legitimate children he had 25 illegitimate children). He usurped the duchy of Normandy from his brother and had lands in both France and England. In England, he was concerned with a deteriorating coinage. From Seaby, "At Christmas 1124 the famous Assize of Moneyers was held at Winchester when all the moneyers in England were called to account for their activities and a number are said to have been mutilated for issuing coins of inferior quality."

Stephen 1 (1135-54)

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Penny, 18 mm, 1.35gr. Obv: most likely STIEFNE (R, RE or REX), bust righ, holding scepter. Rev: cross moline with a fleur in each quadrant. S. 1278, N 873. Contemporary French coins: Louis VI and Louis VII.

Stephen was born in France (Blois). His tie to the British throne was through his mother, Adele, daughter of William the Conqueror, rather than through his father, Theobald, count of Blois. He usurped the throne since Matilda, daughter of Henry I, was supported only in a lukewarm manner, there being question of the right of a woman to rule. This triggered a civil war, where Stephen was imprisoned, subsequently released (since Matilda was not an effective ruler) and ultimately restored to the throne. He married another Matilda and had five children. Stephen died in Kent. He was succeeded by the son of Matilda, a claimant to the throne. This was Henry II.