HENRY III AD 1216-1272 Silver Penny Class 5b2 London mint ex Brussels hoard

HENRY III AD 1216-1272 Silver Penny Class 5b2 ex Brussels hoard

Voided Long Cross coinage. Phase 3, Post Provincial Phase.

London/Henri

S1368A,  18mm, 1.50g

Henry was only 9 years old when he became king and initially there was a Regency with William Marshall effectively in charge. After an unsuccessful attempt of invasion by the French in AD 1217 was defeated off Sandwich and eventually peace was restored when the treaty of Lambeth was signed. An agreement was also reached with the Barons.
William Marshall died in AD 1219 and was succeeded by Hubert De Burgh. When Henry assumed full control in AD 1227 Hubert De Burgh was retained as chief minister. In AD 1230 a new war broke out when Henry tried to reclaim his lost territories in France. This campaign achieved nothing.
At home Henry maintained peace with Scotland and in Wales his position was strengthened by the construction of many new castles. Revenues received from Ireland were also important and many new estates were also granted to supporters. In AD 1254 Henry’s son Edward was created Lord of Ireland. English influence in Ireland was at a peak for the Medieval period.
In AD 1258 Barons revolted again mainly over Henry’s style of government. Led by Simon De Montfort the barons attempted instigate reforms at the Provisions of Oxford however neither side was able to establish complete control. Eventually Civil War broke out and Henry was defeated at the Battle of Lewes in AD 1264 and was captured. His son, Edward then raised a new army and defeated the rebels at the Battle of Evesham where De Montfort was killed. Henry was released and took revenge sequestering many of the rebel’s land. He did however agree to a number of reforms which limited the power of some Royal officials. Henry became increasingly infirmed and his son Edward effectively ruled for the remainder of his reign.
Henry carried out a number of reforms to the coinage. In England the Short Cross penny was replaced by the Long Cross penny to discourage clipping. The number of mints was also reduced and he also introduced a Gold Penny although this was not successful and was rapidly withdrawn. In Ireland and also in the Anglo Gallic series there were also a number of issues.