Spink
Auction 21006 7 Jul 2021
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Prince Henry of Scotland, Earl of Northumberland and Huntingdon, son of David I and Maud (1139-1152), Penny, in the 'Watford type' style, Period A, Corbridge, Herebeald (Erembald), struck c. 1138-1140, +[...]NRIC [E]RL, crowned bust right, sceptre before, rev. +EREBAL[D:] ON[: C]OREB, cross moline forming into voided octofoil, inverted fleurs in angles, 1.13g, 12h (Williams III, 440; Boon 12; SCBI 48, 1360; Mack 284; North 912; Spink 1309 [5011]), a creased and bowed square-cut flan with light surface porosity, otherwise a fuller striking with much vestigial legend so often absent from Anarchy period currency, an imposing portrait, almost very fine thus and very rare, and a coin of high significance in the British series being one of few types to carry vernacular legend forms.
Provenance
Found at Norfolk, 14 April 2021
~ Recorded with the Fitzwilliam Museum (Cambridge), EMC 2021.0104 ~
, ,
Following the discovery of silver-bearing mines near Carlisle in 1128, a mint was established there under Crown control and leased to the moneyer Ere(m)bald [northern form of Archibald]. The power vacuum precipitated by the death of Henry I 'Beauclerc' in 1135 saw King David's revive his ancestral claim to Bernicia and its capital Bamburgh. The following year, Scottish forces invaded England, meeting Stephen's army at Carlisle. Battle was avoided in favour of a negotiated settlement in which Henry paid homage to Stephen, but gained Carlisle and Newcastle, and the Earldom of Huntingdon in return. Confusion however still reigned as Earl Henry was accused of treason by his father for visiting Stephen's court at Easter 1136, only resolved with Henry's return on his father's insistence. , , The quality of the silver coinage also notably depreciated in the years following this accord. Sir William Boyd Dawkins thought the reduction in fineness was due to the inclusion of lead and other impurities usually refined away, with similar 'brittle' silver seen with Baronial issues of York at this time. The imitation of Southern English issues continued, perhaps in recognition of the new political arrangement, but more likely out of the simple practically of ensuring the smooth facilitation of trade across the English-Scottish border. Earl Henry's earliest type as the present coin replicated the 'Watford' type of King Stephen (struck c. 1136 to 1145) save only for the legends. It is believed the type resulted from Earl Henry's residency at Corbridge prior to the 'Battle of the Standard' in August 1138. Moneyers were not exempt from military service, so it is conceivable that Herebeald actually fought and fell in the rout of the Scottish forces at Cowton Moor that late summer day, thereby explaining the subsequent appearance of a son 'Willelm fil Erembaldi' coining for King David in the spring of 1141. Earl Henry's own health waned throughout the 1140s culminating in his sudden death on 12 June 1152. Unlike Henry I, there was no crisis of succession amongst his three male heirs.
Estimate: £4000 - £6000
Provenance
Found at Norfolk, 14 April 2021
~ Recorded with the Fitzwilliam Museum (Cambridge), EMC 2021.0104 ~
, ,
Following the discovery of silver-bearing mines near Carlisle in 1128, a mint was established there under Crown control and leased to the moneyer Ere(m)bald [northern form of Archibald]. The power vacuum precipitated by the death of Henry I 'Beauclerc' in 1135 saw King David's revive his ancestral claim to Bernicia and its capital Bamburgh. The following year, Scottish forces invaded England, meeting Stephen's army at Carlisle. Battle was avoided in favour of a negotiated settlement in which Henry paid homage to Stephen, but gained Carlisle and Newcastle, and the Earldom of Huntingdon in return. Confusion however still reigned as Earl Henry was accused of treason by his father for visiting Stephen's court at Easter 1136, only resolved with Henry's return on his father's insistence. , , The quality of the silver coinage also notably depreciated in the years following this accord. Sir William Boyd Dawkins thought the reduction in fineness was due to the inclusion of lead and other impurities usually refined away, with similar 'brittle' silver seen with Baronial issues of York at this time. The imitation of Southern English issues continued, perhaps in recognition of the new political arrangement, but more likely out of the simple practically of ensuring the smooth facilitation of trade across the English-Scottish border. Earl Henry's earliest type as the present coin replicated the 'Watford' type of King Stephen (struck c. 1136 to 1145) save only for the legends. It is believed the type resulted from Earl Henry's residency at Corbridge prior to the 'Battle of the Standard' in August 1138. Moneyers were not exempt from military service, so it is conceivable that Herebeald actually fought and fell in the rout of the Scottish forces at Cowton Moor that late summer day, thereby explaining the subsequent appearance of a son 'Willelm fil Erembaldi' coining for King David in the spring of 1141. Earl Henry's own health waned throughout the 1140s culminating in his sudden death on 12 June 1152. Unlike Henry I, there was no crisis of succession amongst his three male heirs.
Estimate: £4000 - £6000