Louis the Pious (814-840)

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Denier à la légende chrétienne, c. 822-840, (Argent, 20.5 mm, 1,65 g), (poids théorique 2,039 g, titre : +950 ‰, taille 1/240 L., pm. 1,688g.). Obv: + HLVDOVVICVS IMP. (Louis empereur). Croix cantonnée de quatre besants.  Rev: XPISTIANA RELIGIO. (Religion chrétienne). Temple tétrastyle avec un fronton triangulaire sommé d'une croisette, une croix au centre posée sur deux degrés.   Flan large et régulier. Monnaie bien centrée. Description from CGB catalogue Monnaies VIII item 1055. Roberts 1208 or 1216v; MG 472 (the most common type. The R/MG concordance matches to R1216.) Depeyrot #8 A1 (p.41) and 1179 (sans atelier),  794 examples; Belaubre 58-60.

Louis, qui était roi d'Aquitaine depuis 781, devint empereur sans problème à la mort de son père en 814, seul fils légitime survivant. Dans la première partie de son règne, jusqu'à l'année 829, il continua l'œuvre de son père et son monnayage. La naissance de Charles d'un second mariage en 823 avec Judith de Bavière va amener ses autres fils, Lothaire, Pépin et Louis à se révolter contre lui. Il fut détrôné deux fois en 830 et 833 et le royaume resta divisé jusqu'à sa mort en 840. Source: CGB Monnaies VIII,  Juin 2000.

Louis was a son of Charlemagne. Louis sought to maintain stability in France, which which was complicated by problems of succession and ultimately led to the partition of the country. His efforts to maintain unity failed. Lothaire (first son by his first wife and co-emperor) took control of lands from Flanders to Italy, Louis (son by his first wife) lands in Germany and Charles (son by Judith, his second wife) in western France. Charles, known as the Bald, controlled the territory through which is traced the royal French lineage. He also assumed the territory (Aquitaine) of his half brother Pepin after Pepin's death. Louis ended a broken man and was 'detrone' (dethroned). Louis was a strong supporter of the Benedictine monastic movement and the partition of the country ran counter to the interests of the increasingly political papacy, which saw itself losing influence since rule in France was spread among a number of heirs. Pierre Riche' in The Carolingians offers a good discussion of the times. For a fuller exploration of the life and times of Louis the Pious, including geneological notes and maps of his kindom, please visit the accompanying Louis the Pious Home Page.

Pippin I (814-838) or Pippin II (840-52)

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Pépin II d'Aquitaine (823-865) est le fils aîné de Pépin Ier (797-838) et le petit-fils de Louis le Pieux. Il succède à son père Pépin Ier, mort le 13 décembre 838, en s'emparant illégalement du trône et en prenant Toulouse en 843. Charles II le Chauve essaye de l'en déloger mais est obligé de reconnaître sa souveraineté sur l'Aquitaine en échange du serment de vassalité. En revanche, Pépin perd le comté de Poitiers. Les années suivantes ne sont qu'une suite ininterrompue de guerres et de trahisons. Toulouse et Poitiers sont pillées par les Normands. En 852, Pépin est livré à Charles le Chauve qui le fait enfermer à Saint-Médard de Soissons. Il s'en échappe et se révolte à nouveau contre son oncle. Les dix dernières années de sa vie, Pépin essaye vainement de reprendre possession de son royaume et meurt captif à Senlis en 865. Source: CGB Monnaies VIII 2000.

AR denier, 19mm, from Courcessin. Obv: GRATIA D-I REX, central monogram. Rev: CVRTISASONIEN, short cross. Roberts 1355, MG 902; Dep #11 A1, #375, 1377 examples; Bel 123. Le type à la légende chrétienne est antérieur à 864 et la réforme de l'édit de Pîtres, mais il doit être postérieur à 843. Il a pu être frappé entre 850 et 860. For two additional coins of Charles the Bald, one from Rennes and one from Toulouse, see the Carolingians page.

Charles le Chauve est devenu roi à la mort de son père, Louis le Pieux, le 20 juin 840. Au traité de Verdun en 843, l'empire carolingien est partagé entre les trois fils de Louis. Lothaire reçoit la Lotharingie, Louis le Germanique, la Francia Orientalis et Charles la Francia Occidentalis.  Source: CGB Monnaies VIII, 2000.  Charles was the son of Judith of Bavaria (second wife of) and Louis the Pius. He married Ermentrude, daughter of Count Odo of Orleans, in an effort to secure his position in contention with his half brothers Lothaire and Louis. A formal division of the lands of Louis was recognized by the Treaty of Verdun in 843.

During this period his territory was invaded by Norsemen, Huns and Saracens. Paris fell to the Norsemen under Ragnar Lotbrok. Charles' territory, reduced by division with his half brothers,  was further partitioned with the Norsemen. France was wracked by civil war and Charles was unable to exert strong control over the French imperium. He died in 877 and is buried at St. Denis. He is described by Pierre Riche' as the last of the great Carolingian rulers. The division of the kingdom at this time, some have argued, lays the foundation for the Germanic national state, as well as the French state. The division of the empire has the further impact of complicating the ability of the papacy to maintain some type of ecclesiastical hegemony over western Europe.

AR denier, 21mm, 1.3 gr. Obv: CARLVS REX (with the ‘S' reversed), central cross with two, possibly four, pellets. Rew: MET/ALO on two lines. Identification of this coin is difficult. The seller (French dealer from a 1999 Cumberland Hotel fair) identifies it as Charles III and cites Patrick Nouchy #33var. as his source. Nouchy (p121) notes there are "immobilisations dans les atelier de Melle avec the legende CARLVS REX" as distinct from #33 which are all "REX F" or "REX R." In other words, the seller's representation does not match his source. This coin is also lighter (1.3 gr) than those of Charles III (1.45 - 1.48gr). Roberts identifies a CARLVS REX type from Melle (#1700 series) and says "a common type from Melle is listed in the feudal section due to its extensive posthumous strikings which extend into the 13th century." Several of these immobilized coins have reverses similar to this coin (R3862) but the obverse lettering does not match, having an extra letter after ‘REX.' Belaubre (787-8) has similar obverse text, but a cross under the MET/ALO on the reverse, for a number of coins identified as Charles the Bald immobilized. Not in MG, Dep #18 G1, #630 as Charles III, but no image (1 current example, 1749 immobilized). This is in all likelihood an immobilized coin of either Charles III or Charles the Bald, produced by the comtes de Poitou. Melle is in Aquitaine.

Charles (The Simple, i.e. without guile) was the son of Louis II and grandson of Charles the Bald. He married first Frederuna, who died in 917 and then Eadgifu, daughter of King Edward of Wessex. Their son, Louis, becomes king and is known as d'Outremer. Charles died a prisoner of Herbert of Vermandois in 929.

Charles was named by Odo of Paris as his successor, in recognition of the continuing regard the Carolingians still held. Charles was faced with continued Norseman invasions, and Charles granted land, in return for fealty, to Rollo who settled in what became Normandy. Charles intervened in Lotharingia and triggered a revolt of the nobility against himself. On the bright side (from his point of view) Robert, father of Hugh the Great, was killed in battle against Charles. On the downside, Charles was captured by Herbert II of Vermandois and died in captivity. His wife and young son fled to England. Raoul (Ralph) of Burgundy ruled after Charles' imprisonment. (Source: Riche'246-54)

AR denier, 18mm (immobilized). Obv: +LODOICVS, central cross. Rev: EGOLISSIME, very small central cross with four pellets. Mint: Angouleme. The coin was issued by the Comte' de Angouleme, Hugues le Noir (937-952), who controlled an area influenced by Louis IV, but over which he did not rule. Roberts 1804 (who indicates this coin as both contemporary with Louis IV and also as an immobilized coin), MG 1646 as Louis IV or V, Dep #22 C1, 50 (6 examples) who also says it might be IV. Belaubre 821(who cites Poey d'Avant (1858-62) as an immobilized version from the send half of the 12th century).

Louis was son of Charles III by his second wife. He fled to England with his mother after his father was imprisoned by Herbert II of Vermandois. He married Gerberga of Saxony and they had two sons. He was succeeded by Lothar IV and his grandson Louis V was the last Carolingian.

When Raoul died without an heir, Hugh the Great, father of Hugh Capet, was instrumental is the restoration of the Carolingians, in the person of Louis d'Outremer (from across the sea). The territory over which Louis had direct rule was limited but the nobility initially pledged fealty to him. He subsequently fell out with his advocate Hugh the Great and they engaged in civil war. He was captured by Hugh and subsequently released, under papal pressure. He succeeded in reasserting control in Normandy. He died from injuries sustained in a hunting accident, at age 34. He was succeeded by his son Lothar IV, who ruled under the protection of Hugh the Great. (Source: Riche' 255-64.)

AR denier, 21mm. Obv: +CONRADVS, central cross. Rev: +LVGDVNVS, triangle surmounted by a cross. Mint - Lyon. R 1892; MG 1683 (last entry in the catalogue); Dep 23 type 937-993 A1, 531 (1513 examples); not in Bel.

AR Denier, c. 960-980, Aquitaine, Bourges, (Argent, 19 mm, 1,16 g), (titre : +900 ‰). Obv: + LOTERIVS REX. (Lothaire, roi). Croix. Rev: BITVRICES CIVITAS. (Cité de Bourges). Temple tétrastyle avec un fronton triangulaire sommé d'une croisette coupant la légende en haut, portant en cœur une croisette posée sur deux degrés. Frappe bien venue au droit. Tréflage au revers avec une petite tache à 5 heures. Description from CGB Monnaies VIII 1071. Roberts 1823; MG 672; Dep #24 I1, #206, 310 examples); Bel 198. Ce type reprend celui à la légende XPISTIANA RELIGIO introduit dans le monnayage Carolingien par Charlemagne et largement diffusé sous Louis le Pieux. Contemporary English coin: Ethelred.

Dès 954, Lothaire cède l'Aquitaine à Hugues le Grand et essaie de lutter contre la montée du féodalisme. Il finit par se brouiller avec Hugues Capet (duc 956-987, roi 987-996), fils de Hugues le Grand, car il est plus puissant que son suzerain. Au début du règne de Louis IV (936-954), une nouvelle réforme monétaire aurait modifié la taille des deniers, passant à 360 pièces par livre de 18 onces. Source: CBB Monnaies VIII 2000.

Lothaire inherited from his father, Louis IV, when he was only thirteen. By good fortune he was not pressured from the throne by powerful nobles, although he did cede some lands. His reign was spent seeking to establish control over lands previously controlled by his line, with mixed success. During his reign, coinage in his name was minted in areas over which he did not have direct control, indicating a residual respect for the direct Carolingian lineage.

Penny, 20 mm. Obv: +EDELRED REX ANGLOR, center bust left. Rev: text, center small cross. S. 1154, N 777. Contemporary French coina: Hugh Capet and 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. Loyn says of him "The reign of the unhappy Ethelred proved one of the most disastrous in English history. Attacks from Scandinavia ... tended to be more national and political in nature than the movements of the earlier Viking Age. They were often led by kings or princes and their (objective was) political domination."

AR denier, 21mm, 1.25 g,. Obv: HERVEVS HVGO REX, cross cantonee with two besants (pellets). Rev: BELVACVS CIVITAS, central Carolingian monogram. This coinage became immobilized from the end of the 10th C, during Capet's reign, until the start of the 11th century. Mint: Beauvais (an episcopal mint at the time). Dup 1, Belaubre 273 (which uses Lafaurie, Les monnaies des rois de France, as its source). Contemporary English coin: Ethelred

He is the son of Hugh the Great and Hadwig, sister of Otto I (king of Germanie). He married Adeliade of Aquitaine in 965 and they had two children, a son and daughter. His son, Robert, succeeded him as Robert 11 (The Pious). He was known as Hugh Capet because he wore a cape, an indication he was a lay abbot of a number of valuable properties (Riche 264).

Hugh's father was responsible for the restoration of Louis IV and did not seize the throne himself at that time. After the death of Louis' son and heir, Louis V, in an hunting accident, there was not a direct heir, although an uncle, Duke Charles of Lorraine, was a prime candidate. Instead Hugh Capet was elected king in June 987. He was better connected and had a greater stature than Charles. He had his son also crowned in December 987. Charles of Lorraine contested Hugh's ascension but was defeated and imprisoned in Orlean, where he died in 992.  Hugh's election marked the end of the Carolingian dynasty and the birth of the Capetians, which extended to the Valois in the 14th century. Hugh Capet's direct control of territory was minimal, being concentrated on the Ile d'France.

AR denier,  977 - 1030, 20 mm. Obv: ROB FRAN REX (and variations), crowned stylized head of the king. Rev: ADALERO LAD, stylized head of the bishop. D8, C29. Contemporary English coins: Ethelred and Cnut.

He was son of Hugh Capet and known as 'the Pius' and 'the August.' He was born in Orleans in 970. He married a cousin, Bertha, a marriage which was subsequently annulled due to consanguinity. There was no issue from this union. He subsequently married Constance of Arles, daughter of William of Arles and Blanche d'Anjou. They had four sons and a daughter. He was succeeded by his son Henri I.

He reconquered the duchy of Burgundy and sought to stabilize the kingdom, limited in size as it was. He is buried at St. Denis.

Denier, 22mm. Obv: +PHILIPVS X REX D-I, central gate. Rev: AVRELIANIS CIVITAS, central cross with 's' in two quadrants. D56/57, not in C.

Philip, son of Henri I and Anne of Kiev (daughter of the grand duke of Russia and descendent of Byzantine emperors), came to the throne as a child (eight years old). He married Berthe of Holland, daughter of the Count of Frise and of Holland, as a political marriage to counter the power of William of England, also Duke of Normandy. His son, Louis, succeeded him.

William of Normandy successfully conquered England and set up the tension between his duty as a feudal vassal of Philip and king in his own right. This essentially initiated a conflict that would not be fully resolved for almost four centuries. Philip withstood the threat William's power offered, and sewed dissension among William's heirs, relieving pressure on France. Royal domains were small at this time and Philip sought to expand them, without conflict, and within the prevailing tenets of feudalism. He also worked on administrative reform of his lands, centralizing power and control.

Penny, PAXS type (1083-86?), 20mm. 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.

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.

AR penny, quadrilateral on cross fleury type, circa 1125-35, 19mm. 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."

Louis V1 (1108-1137)

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AR denier, 6th type, 19mm. Obv: LODOVICVX REX, grand E, annulet, cross. Rev: STAIII CVTELLVTII, central cross, A in opposite quadrants. D106.

He is the son of Philip I and Bertha of Holland, and called Louis the Fat. As 'king of France,' his territory was actually limited to the Ile de France, a series of territories running down the center of modern France, from Sens in the north to Bourges in the south. His major accomplishment was a series of administrative reforms that shifted power in his territory away from feudal holders of administrative functions to people (clergy and lower nobles) who were more committed to the king than had previously been the case.

Modern France did not exist, and would not for centuries. It wass a series of feudal principalities often in conflict with each other, and having weak allegiance to the king. The Duke of Normandy became king of England in 1066, leaving many of the English Normans with French land holdings, laying the foundation for a split allegiance. This was not be finally resolved until the mid 1500th C, and would color French-English relations in the intervening centuries.

Denier, 19.5mm. Obv: LVDOVICUS REX, interior FRA/OCN. Rev: PARISII CIVIS, central cross. D146, C182 as Louis IX. Contemporary English coin:Henry II.

Louis V11 was the son of Louis VI and Adelaide of Savoie. He was a calm, reflective and timid person He married first Eleanor of Aquitaine, his temperamental opposite, and they had two daughters. They were divorced on the grounds of consanguinity. She then married Henri Plantagenet while he married next Constance of Castile and then Adele of Champagne, by who he had a son and heir, Philip II.

By his divorce from Eleanor, he lost Aquitaine, which became an English possession through her marriage to Henry. He participated in a crusade and led France in war against England and her continental territories, events common for the age.

Penny, short cross, 19mm. Obv: HENRICVS RE; central portrait. Rev: WALTER ON NORTH (Walter is the name of the moneyer, located in Northampton). S:1344, C:H21D-035/40. Contemporary French coins were from  Louis VII and Philip II.

Founder of the Plantagenet dynasty, named for planta genista - a sprig of bloom flower his father wore in his cap. Henry was born in Anjou in 1133 and came to the throne via his mother Matilda when Henry I's other children died. He followed Steven, a cousin, after a period of civil strife in England. He was duke on Normandy and count of Anjou. After he married Eleanor of Aquitaine he also became duke of Aquitaine. The created a huge Angevin empire reaching from Aquitaine to the Scottish border.  Henry died in Chinon and was buried in France.

Steven challenged Matilda's succession and England experienced a period of civil war, until Henry's right of succession was recognized. The Norman kings maintained strong interests and property in France and had very divided interests. Henry engaged in conflict with the Church over royal versus ecclesiastical privilege, which ultimately lead to the death of Thomas a' Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury. Henry laid the groundwork for the modern English legal system, including the use of common law and a reformed jury system.

Denier, 19mm. Obv: PHILIPVS REX with FRA OC(reversed)N in the center. Rev: +Parisii CIVIS, with a cross in the center.  D164, C160. Contemporary English coins: Henry II, Richard 1,  John,Henry III.

Philip was a successful warrior and consolidator of territories in France, and successful administrative reformer of the monarchy. During his reign, the English crown lost most of its holdings in France.  Philip led the defeat of the English at Bouvines in 1214 and by the end of his reign he had extended territory controlled by the crown three to fourfold.

After the Norman invasion of England (1066), the new English nobility maintained territory in France, setting up a conflict of dual allegiance. A series of shifting allegiances, involving Flanders, Champagne and the Angevin Empire (English holdings) kept the country in turmoil. In Paris Philip continued the work on Notre Dame, begun in 1163, paved streets and built churches and hospitals.

Penny, short cross 1205-16, 20mm. Obv: HENRICVS REX, central portrait. Rev: ABEL ON LVNDE (Abel is the name of the moneyer, located in London) S:1351, C:JH1D-025/30. The contemporary French king was Philip II.

John, the eighth legitimate child of Henry II, succeeded his brother Richard. He was born in Oxford on Christmas eve in 1166. He married two Isabella's. The first marriage to Isabella, daughter of William, Earl of Gloucester, was annulled on the basis of consanguinity. His second marriage was to Isabella of Angouleme. They had five children. John earned the nickname "Lackland" because while his brothers inherited lands on the death of their father, John did not. He died in Lincolnshire in 1216.

John lacked the personal strength of his father and was in conflict with the English Barons over the control of privilege. In this conflict he first challenged, and finally allied himself with the Church, against his secular enemies. His Barons did not support him in his conflict with Philip of France and resented the taxation he imposed. John, who also held Normandy, lost it, further angering the Barons. In the face of the threat of armed revolt, John acquiesced to their demands and signed the Magna Carta at Runnymede in 1215. He died before he could overturn the Magna Carta, which remains a central legacy of the age.

Penny - class 11, 1247-72, long cross, 18mm. Obv: HENRICVS REX TERCI; central portrait. Rev: NIC/OLE/ONL/VND (Nicole of London - moneyer and mint).  The long cross was to show if the coin had been clipped. S:1361, C:H31D-050. Second penny on Plantagenets page. The contemporary French kings were Philip II,  Louis VIII,  Louis IX,  Philip III..

Henry was born in 1207 at Winchester Castle. He succeeded his father John in 1216, at the age of nine. He married Eleanor (of Provence) who became queen consort and ultimately died a nun. They had nine children and their first, Edward, succeeded him as king on Henry's death in 1272. He lost his holdings in Normandy (he inherited the title of Duke of Normandy from his father) as a result of the Treaty of Paris.

Henry was recognized as the legitimate heir to John, so smoothed over the baronial problems for the moment. Henry came to rely on foreign (Provence and Poitou) advisors, who were resented by the English Barons. This conflict caused the period to be a time of erosion of royal privilege and what Churchill calls the "seed time of our Parliamentary system.." It was epitomized by the Parliament of 1265. Simon de Montfort played a key role in the Baronial challenge to the king.

Henry issued a gold coin, worth 20 to 1 over silver, but it was not a successful issue. It was the last gold issue until 1344. It marked a significant evolution in European coinage, paralleling development in Italy and France, and Loyn (p.153) observes it helped contribute to the end of the denier system

Penny: long cross, class 3, 19mm. Obv: EDWR ANGL DNS HYB, central portrait. Rev: CIV/TAS EBO/RACI, long cross quartered with three pellets, York mint. S:1388, C:E11D-580. Second penny on the Plantagenets page. Contemporary French kings were Philip III and Philip IV.

Edward was born in the Palace of Westminster in 1239 and became king in 1272. He was known as ‘Longshanks' due to his height, and has the reputation as a strong king. He trained English troops with the longbow, which was used so effectively against the French in the 14th century. He conquered Wales and Scotland and established independence from the papacy. He developed Parliament and was also known as the ‘Lawgiver.' Edward married first Eleanor of Castile (16 children) and then Margaret, daughter of Philip III of France (three children). He died in 1307.

England was extending her borders, first bringing Wales under the crown, and then warring with Scotland, constantly having to deal with a restive nation to the North. After 30 years of peace (1259+) war broke out with France and Scotland. The English were defeated at Sterling and revenged themselves at Falkirk. Edward was known as "Hammer of the Scots." He was interested in issues of law and justice and in administrative reform and he broadened representation in the ‘model' Parliament, laying the foundation for non-noble participation in government. At this time London was the largest city in England, with about 40,000 inhabitants.