Leu Numismatik AG
Auction 7 24-25 Oct 2020
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CRUSADERS. Cecilia Capet (circa 1097-1145), 1106-1145. Seal (Lead, 40 mm, 31.93 g). +CЄCIL[IA] RЄGIS FRANCORV FILIA ('Cecilia, daughter of the king of France') St. Cecilia standing, lily to her left. Rev. Large cross; M in each angle; in outer angles, IHΖ - AⲰ - XPE - DNS; above, cross. Naumann 90 (2020), 742 (as 'Byzantine uncertain'). Of the highest rarity, apparently the second known example and of great historical importance. Some deposits and somewhat corroded, otherwise, very fine.
Cecilia Capet was a daughter of Philip I of France who sailed for Antioch in 1106 to become Lady of Tarsos and Mamistra after Bohemond I of Antioch had visited the French court to gather support against the Byzantine emperor Alexios I Komnenos. She was married to Tancred, the regent of Antioch, who later succeeded Bohemond as prince. On his deathbed, Tancred made Pons of Tripoli promise to marry Cecilia, and thus she became countess of Tripoli in 1112. Cecilia successfully intervened on behalf of her county when Zengi, the atabeg of Mosul, laid siege to Tripoli, by invoking the aid of Fulk, King of Jerusalem, who was her half-brother. In 1137, however, Pons was killed by Zengi and succeeded by the couple's oldest son Raymond II. Cecilia herself died some time later, in circa 1145.
Cecilia Capet was a daughter of Philip I of France who sailed for Antioch in 1106 to become Lady of Tarsos and Mamistra after Bohemond I of Antioch had visited the French court to gather support against the Byzantine emperor Alexios I Komnenos. She was married to Tancred, the regent of Antioch, who later succeeded Bohemond as prince. On his deathbed, Tancred made Pons of Tripoli promise to marry Cecilia, and thus she became countess of Tripoli in 1112. Cecilia successfully intervened on behalf of her county when Zengi, the atabeg of Mosul, laid siege to Tripoli, by invoking the aid of Fulk, King of Jerusalem, who was her half-brother. In 1137, however, Pons was killed by Zengi and succeeded by the couple's oldest son Raymond II. Cecilia herself died some time later, in circa 1145.