AR denier,  18mm, .70gr. Obv: CENTVLLOCOII, central cross with two adjacent annelets in the top quarters. Rev: +ONOR FORCAS, central PAX. Roberts 4182, Boudeau 525, Bel 874-76.

The PAX design on coinage was new at this time. It is interesting then to ask what was the source for the new design. Bisson (45-47) suggests as one possibility that it was a consequence of the Peace of God movement that grew out of Catalonia and became influential in Languedoc and Bearn at the end of the 11th and into the 12th centuries. This was a movement whereby rulers and their vassals would commit to certain codes of behavior aimed at preserving peace in their lands. The incentive was often ecclesiastical recognition of some territorial claim and stick was commonly the threat of Church sanction, up to excommunication. As a part of pledging to the Peace, there was often a 'confirmation' of the coinage, a pledge to maintain the integrity of the coinage. Bisson (45) notes "The maintenance of coinage, no longer a local oddity, was becoming recognized as a major concern of Christian society."

While adherence to the Peace is a likely candidate for the explanation of the PAX design. Bisson (54) recognizes however, that "This point, having long been in controversy, must be treated with care." He notes that the case is strongest for the 'morlans' of Bearn. The monks of the Cluniac abbey of Morlaas were entitled to a tithe on the profits of minting after 1077 and would have been keen to insure the stability of the coinage.

Bisson (55) links the PAX to the Peace movement by noting "Perhaps more significant is the fact that these were the coinages of regions where the peace movement was well known. The great men of Bearn and Armagnac swore a peace and truce in the presence of the bishop of Lescar in 1004, not long after the device PAX appeared on their lord's coins.

The specific meaning of the PAX is unclear. Bisson suggests it might refer to adherence of the Peace and confirmation of the coinage, be an abbreviation for Pax Vobiscum, or reflect some ecclesiastical co-minting/sponsoring of the coinage.

The symbolism of the PAX design is significant. From Bisson (56) "..the device PAX assumed the very place on the coins that had customarily been reserved for the symbols of authority, such as the names of kings." The Peace of God was becoming the source of authority and "In a sense the Peace filled the void created by royal (and comital) impotence in the South."

Bearn is a city south of Bordeaux in SW France. Centulle I married Beatrix, countess of Bigorre (1040 - 97) in 1060. Centulle inherited the county on the death of his father in law in 1078. Centulle II (1070-1138), son of Centulle I, succeeded his brother (who died without issue) as count of Bigorre in 1113. Centulle II's daughter became countess of Bigorre and her son Centulle III (b 1143) inherited the title on his mother's death. On his father's death Centulle also inherited the title of Viscount of Marsan.

Gaston de Grailly (1436-1472)

For a larger image click here

AR blanc, 24mm, 2.31gr. Obv: +PAX:ET:HONOR:FORCAS:BEARNI*, shield of Bearn, quadrilobe cross, rams in center. Rev: +GASTON:DOMINVS:BEARNI*, central cross, G in quad. 1, besant in 4. R6253v; Boud 351; PdA 3260v (LXIX shows besants in quad. 1 and 4, cites weight of only 1.79gr); Dup 1252 (with this obv/rev, PdA reverses it).

Bill. blanc, 26mm, 2.11gr. Obv: +KTHERINA:DEI:G::DRA:BEARNI, central shield of Bearn under a crown. Rev: +PAX:ET:HONOR:FORQVIE:MORLA, central cross. Mint is Morlas. R 6266; PdA 3309; Boud 543v as AR; Dup 1273; Caron p.180.

Source:

Bisson, T., Conservation of Coinage: Monetary Exploitation and its Restraint in France, Catalonia and Aragon (c. A.D. 1000 - c. 1225), Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1979.