John 1199-1216 John was the youngest son of Henry II by Eleanor of Guienne, and was born in 1166. Early named governor of Ireland, he was sent over, in 1185, to complete its conquest, but such was his imprudence that it was found necessary to recall him; and on the death of his father he was left […]

Richard I The Lionheart 1189-1199 Richard I, surnamed Cœur de Lion, was born 1157, and ascended the throne on the death of his father, Henry II, Sept. 3rd, l189. He had previously taken the cross, and now resolved to fulfil his vow in the fields of Palestine for which object he raised money by the sale […]

Henry II 1154-1189 Henry II was the first of the Plantagenet line of English Kings. Henry was the eldest son of Geoffrey, Earl of Anjou, and his wife, the ex-Empress Matilda, daughter of Henry I, and was born at Mans, in March, 1133. He received his education in England, under the care of his uncle Robert, Earl […]

Civil War Monetary System DENOMINATIONS NEWARK  AR Half-Crown AR Shilling AR Ninepence AR Sixpence PONTEFRACT  AR 2 Shillings AR Shilling RICHMOND  AE Farthing AE Farthing (Strip of 2) Monetary History of the World  © Martin A. Armstrong

Stephen 1135-1154 Stephen was the son of Stephen, Count of Blois, by Adela, fourth daughter of William the Conqueror, was born in 1104. On the death of Henry I he immediately came over from Normandy to England; and laid claim to the crown, although he had been one of the most zealous in taking the oath for securing […]

Henry I 1100-1135 Henry I., King of England, surnamed, on account of his superior education, Beauclerc, was the youngest son ofWilliam the Conqueror, and was born at Selby, in Yorkshire, in 1068. Jealousies and dissensions early broke out between him and his elder brothers, Robert and William (Rufus), and on the sudden mysterious death of William […]

William II The Ruddy 1087-1100 William II (Rufus) was third son of William I, the Conquerer. William was born in Normandy around the year 1060. He was educated by Lanfranc who later became the archbishop of Canterbury. William appears to have been his father’s favourite and upon his father’s death, he set sail for England and […]

William I The Conquerer 1066-1087 William the Conquerer was the son of Robert, Duke of Normandy. William was born at Falaise in the year 1027. He was raised at the court of the King of France, and succeeded to the duchy at the age of only eight. William, while Duke of Normandy, was married to […]

Harold II Silver Penny 1066 Harold II was the second son of Godwin, Earl of Kent. Upon the death of Edward the Confessor in 1066, Harold took possession of the throne, disregarding the more legal claim of Prince Edgar Atheling, or the asserted bequest of Edward in favour of William, Duke of Normandy. The latter accordingly invaded England […]

Edward the Confessor Silver Penny 1042-1066 Edward the Confessor was the son of Aethelred II. Edward was raised in Normandy where he lived until he was called to the throne in 1042 upon the death of Harthacnut(Hardicanute). During his reign, power truly resided in the hands of the Earl Godwin, whose daughter Edgitha was married Edward. It […]