Camden's Britannia newly translated into English, with large additions and improvements ; publish'd by Edmund Gibson ...

TAB. V.

THE Saxons and Franks bordered upon one ano∣ther [ 1] in their ancient seats between the Elbe and the Rhine, and changed their countreys much about the same time; a little before the year of Christ 450. For a King of the Franks dying, left two sons (who contended for the Kingdom) the elder (whose name we know not) took part with Attila, and brought an army to him; as the younger did to Aetius: This seems, by good authors, to have been Meroveus, a very valiant Prince, and great friend to the Romans. To him, after that great battle, Aetius gave part of of Gallia, then very much depopulated by those de∣structive wars; which he going to possess, took with him the whole remainder of his nation; into whose countrey the Saxons succeeded. But a few years after, a considerable part of them also relinquished it, accepting that invitation into Britain. Both nations seem to have spoken the same language, retained the same customs, and to have imitated one another, as in many other things, so in their coins; both as to figure, weight, and manner of stamping. On the one side placing the King's face (and sometimes his name only,) on the other the name of the Mint-master, and sometimes of the governor of the place where coined. So that there is little or no erudition to be gained by them: (though their predecessors, the Britains, were careful after their embracing Christia∣nity, to express some of its customs and ceremonies) But in this they differed, that the Franks used more variety, and frequent changes, both of allay, weight, and value in their coins; and their Princes made more use of their seigneurage, or sovereign power of coining, to the no small disadvantage and trouble of their subjects; insomuch that they petition'd King Charles VII. to quit this his prerogative; and they would consent, that he should impose upon them tailles (taxes) and aides. To which the King con∣sented; reserving to himself only such a proportion of the seigneurage, as might pay the Officers of the mint, and the charges of fabrication. Whereas this Nation hath very seldom practised it either then or since. And though the French writers very much applaud us for it; yet the reason may be, that we have not such great occasions and necessities to force us to it. Therefore neither have we such variety of laws, records, or regulations of moneys as in France are in the Court des monnoies, established for those orderings and pleas concerning their money. And I conceive the reason to be, because very much more money was requisite to be coined in that rich and

[illustration]

[illustration] Saxon coins

Tabula. V. Nummi Saxonici. Page cxxxv

spatious dominion, exceedingly also, because of its situation, frequented by merchants; than in this small corner: as, I think, appears from this, that all our money is readily fabricated in one place, whereas in France more than 20 are hardly sufficient. And though in the Saxon times the like licence was grant∣ed to several cities and large towns; yet it seems, by what remains of them we find, that no great quan∣tity was here coined; nor can I imagine whence they should obtain any great quantity of bullion.

[ II] Though there be not much erudition in these coins (as indeed neither was there in the times of the later Emperors of Rome, who after Aurelian, did more regard the profit of the money, than the honour of their actions) yet something now and then occurs. But I think there is no man who would not be glad to see the countenances and other relicts of their victorious Ancestors. For notwithstanding what some have written, it seems very difficult to shew such a succession of worthy Princes in any nation, as were those of the Saxons; especially the progeny and suc∣cessors of Cerdic in the West. For, even when Pa∣gans, they were very active, valiant, warlike, and governed their people in great justice and peace∣ableness. Amongst so many of them 'tis wonderful to see how few were slothful or vitious.

[ III] Concerning their coins in general, it is observable, that we have much fewer of brass than either gold or silver; most of them also are small (pennies) equal to about 3 of our pence. They are also thin to hinder falsifying. The Kings, even when the Kingdom was reduced to one Monarchy, had se∣veral minting-houses. Divers Bishops also, and some Noblemen, had privileges to coin. King Aethelstan had at London 8; at Winchester 6; at Lewis, Hastings, Hampton, Wereham, in each two; at Chichester one; at Rochester 3, (the King two, the Bishop one); at Canterbury 7, (the King 4, the Archbishop 2, the Abbot one) &c. The reverse upon their coins was commonly quarterly divided: for at first they made no other money, and when they would have a half-penny or farthing, they broke them into two or four parts; and these are called broken money to this day. Hoveden saith, that Henry I. was the first that coined half-pence and farthings. Quoniam ante sua tempora, cum obolum vel quadrantem vellent, denarium in binas vel quatuor partes diruperunt. Harding also saith, that Edward IV. was the first, who coined greats or great pennies; which I think is false, for those peices were stamp'd in Edward the Third's time. The Danes also, whilst they governed here, used the Saxon-like penny; though they reckoned by Ores (oras), but having never seen any of them, I conceive it was not the name of any coin, but used only in accounting, as with us, a mark, a noble, &c.

[ IV] Ingulfus observes, that the Saxon alphabet was changed by King Aelfred, who being very learned and curious, introduc'd the French manner of writ∣ing. Their former hand seems to have borrowed much from the Runic, as you may see in the Table added to the last plate of the Roman Coins That which he introduced was according to the best Ro∣man at that time used, though he took it from the French. For, by those characters we can make good [] judgment of the writings of those times, and the an∣tiquity of the Manuscripts. Their W (the form whereof may be seen in the Saxon Alphabet) was pe∣culiar to them: it seems to have been in pronunciation the same with the V consonant; which seems anciently not to have partaked of the B. For that sound the Em∣peror Claudius invented the Digamma Aeolicum; but after his death, it was difused. Vir the Saxons pro∣nounced were; vallum, wall; vidua, widwe a widow, and the like. The Greeks expressed Vespasianus 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the Latins called vinum, the Saxons wine. More may be observed concerning their alphabet, which perhaps may be considered in another place.

[] The first and second are of the same Cuthred King of Kent, (there seem very few coins of these Princes extant). There were also two of the same name West-Saxons, and Christians. This Cuthred was by Coenuulf King of Mercia made King instead of Ead∣bertus Pren. He reigned, though obscurely, as be∣ing set up by an enemy, 8 years, and died Anno 805.

The third is of Plegmund, anno 890. chosen by God [ 3] and all his saints (saith Chr. Sax.) to be Archbishop of Canterbury. He was a person of excellent worth for learning, prudence, and devotion; at first an Hermit living near Chester, whence he was brought by King Alfred, both to instruct him when young, and advise him when he came to his Kingdom; by whom also he was thus advanced. He was in great veneration in the whole Church, as appears by the Archbishop of Rhemes letters: he deceased anno 923.

The fourth, Ceolnoth consecrated Archbishop, Sept. [ 4] 1. 830, and anno 831 received the Pallium, he died 870. He was commonly called, The good Bishop.

The fifth, Eadberht was the name of two Kings of [ 5] Kent, and one of Northumberland. Which of these coined this money is uncertain. His name (as too many of those of our ancient Kings) is diversly written, as Edbert, Eadbert, &c. The Reverse (a Dragon) if yet it be a Dragon (v. Tab. 1. Sect. 3.) was an ensign used by divers of the Northern Princes; This seems copied from one of Antiochus Epiphanes. The Romans from Trajan's conquering of the Da∣cians used it also; but theirs was in the form of a great serpent, and not of an imagination as this is.

The 6th, Ecgbert was the name also of divers Saxon [ 6] Kings; one of Kent, one of Northumberland, one of Mercia; besides him of the West-Saxons, who reduced all the Kingdoms into one Monarchy. For whom this coin was made, is to me unknown: he seems placed between two crosses in imitation of some of the Eastern Emperors. The reverse seems only the name of the Mint-master. Uiborhtus is a name still in reputation in the North; it may be this Ecberht was the Northumbrian.

The seventh, Cuthred, whether the same with the [ 7] former, is not known. I rather think him to be the West-Saxon, brother of Ethelwerd, about anno 740, a valiant and victorious Prince. Sigebert seems to have been the Noble-person, commander of the place where this was coined.

The eighth, Alred, is Alhred King of Northum∣berland [ 8] anno 765; he reigned 8 years, and at York was expelled his Kingdom anno 774. On the reverse, Edwin, seems to have been a Nobleman.

The ninth, Eanred, may either be Eanfrid or Ean∣dred [ 9] both Kings of Northumberland. Eanfrid, eldest son of Ethelfrith, was expelled his countrey by Ed∣win; who had slain his father, and usurped the King∣dom anno 617, but being slain by Ceadwalla and Penda, Eanfrid returned to the crown anno 634, was baptized, and built St. Peters Church at York, (whereof S. Edwin had laid the foundation) making Paulinus Bishop. Eadwin on the reverse seems to have succeeded Eanfrid after some years.

The tenth, Aelfred seems by the cypher or mono∣gram [ 10] on the reverse to have been the King of Nor∣thumberland (the face not corresponding to that of Aelfred the West-Saxon). He murthered his true and lawful Prince anno 765; himself was expelled also. He is said to have been very learned: to shew which, it may be that he stamped that Monogram on the re∣verse: after the example of divers Constantinopolitan Emperors; but not after those of the Franks; which was begun by Charles the Great, probably because he could not write so much as his name, as Eginhart saith; and that even in his old age he vainly endea∣voured to learn.

The eleventh Edilred, seems to have been Ethelred [ 11] King of the Northumbers, son of Mollo. After he had reigned four years, he was driven out, and Read∣uulf crowned; who being slain by the Danes at Al∣vethlic, Ethelred again succeeded. But carrying himself tyrannically, particularly murthering Oelf, (Alfus) and Oelfwin, (Alfwin) sons of Alfwold, was again expelled and died in banishment. There was also another Ethelred, son of Eandred, a tributary King of the Northumbers; forced from his Kingdom

in the fourth year of his reign: being again restored, he was slain four years after.

[ 12] The twelfth Eandred, son of Eardulf, King of the Northumbers, reigned thirty years after Alfwold the Usurper: Afterwards submitted to Egbert.

[ 13. 14.] The thirteenth and fourteenth belong to Offa, the Mercian King; the reverse being the same in both; who seems to have been a Nobleman, and not a Mint∣master. Three of that name, An. 803. subscribed the Synod at Clov••sho, and another succeeded S. Bo∣niface in the Archbishoprick of Mentz. Offa having slain Beornred, An. 557. reigned over the Mercians: a Prince of great courage and success in arms; but not just nor virtuous: for he basely murthered Ethel∣briht King of the East-Angles, (enticing him to his Palace that he might marry his daughter) and seized upon his kingdom. He had much entercourse, and at length friendship also with Charles the Great. He drew a trench of wondrous length from sea to sea, se∣parating the Mercians from the Welch, part whereof remains visible to this day. He was the first who granted a perpetual Tax to the Pope out of every House in his Kingdom, at his being at Rome; and gave very bountifully, after his return, to the Clergy, in Pennance for his Sins: he died An. 794.

[ 15] The fifteenth Beornuulf, a valiant man, usurped the Kingdom of Mercia from Ceoluulf; in his third year was overthrown by King Egbert at Ellendon, An. 823. He retired thence to the East-Angles, as part of his dominion by the seisure of King Offa, with the re∣mainder of his army, and was there rencountred and slain: Whereupon the East-Angles surrendred them∣selves to Egbert. The reverse I take to be Moneta.

[ 16] The sixteenth, Ludican, succeeded Beornuulf in Mercia, An. 824. He reigned only two years: then, preparing to revenge the death of Beornuulf, his kins∣man, upon the East-Angles, was by them, with his five Consuls surprized and slain. The reverse I under∣stand not.

[ 17] The seventeenth Berhtulf, An. 838. reigned in Mercia, but as feudatary to the West-Saxons: being much molested with the invasions of the Danes, he quitted his Kingdom, and retired to a private life. The reverse Uulfhean; who he was, unknown.

[ 18] The 18th, Burgred, was by King Etheluulf made King of the Mercians, and married his daughter E∣thelswith. To avoid the oppression of the Danes he resigned his kingdom, and retired to Rome; where he lived in great reputation of Sanctity till his death. His Queen also entred into a Monastery at Pavia, and there died. The reverse is Vvhne, only the Mint-master. There are divers other of his Coins, but differing only in the names of the Mint-masters seem not worthy to be inserted.

[ 19] The nineteenth seems, however the faces unlike in their Coins, to have been of the same person. The re∣verse seems to be Moneta Uulf-fard, not known.

[ 20] The twentieth, is of Adulf or Aldulf, King of the East-Angles, son of Ethelwald's brother; a very worthy and pious Prince, as appears by the reverse; a great friend to venerable Bede: What Prisin means I know not. The reverse is remarkable, because his name is otherwise spell'd than upon the Coins.

[ 21] The one and twentieth is St. Edmond, King of the East-Angles, crowned at fourteen years old, at Buers, against his will: a very pious, valiant, and hopeful Prince. In the year 871. his kingdom was invaded by the Danes; against whom most valiantly fighting at Theotford, his army was routed, himself taken, and shot to death with arrows. Neither this, nor the two following seem to have been Coined by him; but, as I conceive by some of the West-Saxon Edmunds, who were all very much devoted to this holy martyr; tho' they may also denote king Alfred. The reverse seems to be of the Mint-master.

[ 22] The reverse of the two and twentieth, Oda Moneta; the place I understand not.

[ 23] Of the three and twentieth, Jomam me fecit, sig∣nifies that Jomam was the Mint-master. Me fecit is common upon the Coins of the Franks in Gallia.

[ 24] The twenty fourth, Aethelred Rex Anglorum, seems not to have been one of the West-Saxons; the first of whom is commonly written Aethered; the second is neither in countenance nor habit like this. There are mentioned in our Histories an Aethelred, successor to his brother Wulfred in Mercia: another the son of Mollo; another of Eandred, of whom we have already spoken. He is said to have married Leofrun, mother to Ethelbert, murthered by Offa; and to have reigned fifty years: little besides is known of him. The reverse seems to be a devout acknowledgment of his being sustained by the hand of Almighty God, who is Alpha and Omega. Who Holizard was, not known. This seems coined at Norwich.

The twenty fifth is like unto this reverse on both [ 25] sides, but of what Prince unknown; it is read Tuna moneta Eaxceaster, as I conceive. I cannot make sense of the Reverse.

The twenty sixth seems to be Sigfrid Moneta, a [ 26] King of the East-Saxons, called also Suuefred, and denominated Sigfrid the good. He makes no great fi∣gure in our Annals. It is not usual to add Moneta to the King's name. Concerning Euura I can find no∣thing.

The twenty seventh seems to have been King of [ 27] the East-Saxons, son of Siger; a very comely and virtuous person, and exceedingly beloved of his peo∣ple. Yet devotion prevailing, after a short reign, he, with Kenred King of Mercia, went to Rome in the time of Pope Constantine, and there retired into a Monastery. Ibba on the reverse, seems some Noble man.

The twenty eighth, Edmund Rex, seems to have [ 28] been one of the West-Saxon Edmunds. The reverse may be Edmund Martyr.

The twenty ninth I do not understand. [ 29]

The thirtieth, for which of the Athelstans I know [ 30] not, as neither the reverse.

The thirty first Eunaa Rex. I cannot find any [ 31] such name in all our Histories. The reverse seems to mention Oxford.

The thirty second: I cannot find any mention of [ 32] Heareth and Herred.

The thirty third is imperfect. [ 33]

The thirty fourth seems not to be Aelfred the [ 34] West-Saxon, because the name is spel'd otherwise Ou∣nig is also unknown.

The thirty fifth is to me unknown. [ 35]