British History Coin Pack - Medieval

Product History

William(I) The Conqueror - William was proclaimed King of England at Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day 1066. Despite a great victory the Normans had great difficulty keeping control with possibly only 10,000 Normans among one to two million hostile Anglo-Saxons. As a result the Normans had to build many castles from which to dominate the local people. By 1086 Britain had received a new language, culture and ruling class, with 200 Norman barons replacing over 4000 thegns. Britain was part of a kingdom spanning the English Channel.

Stephen (1135-1154) - As Henry I lay dying, Stephen, his nephew, rushed over from France to London and secured the throne instead of Henry's chosen heirs. After about two years of peace Robert of Gloucester defected and Stephen lost his grip on Normandy. A long civil was resulted. Our coin is attributed to Eustace Fitz-john, a north country baron, but may well be a coin of the king's son. In fact the king's son died before taking the throne and the crown passed to Henry Plantagenet.

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