Monetary System

4 Farthings = 1 Penny
12 Pence = 1 Shillings
2 Shillings = 1 Florin
5 Shillings = 1 Crown
20 Shillings  = 1 Pound

Edward III
Reign 1327-77 CE
 

Edward III was born in 1312 CE at Windsor Castle, Berkshire to Isabella de France and Edward II of Caernarvon, the King of England. Edward's youth was spent in his mother's court and he was crowned in Westminster Abbey, London at the age fourteen after his father was deposed. Edward III instigated a palace revolt and assumed effective power in 1330 CE. He imprisioned his mother and executed her lover Roger de Mortimer who had murdered his father.

Edward III married to Philippa of Hainault in 1328 CE at York Minster, Yorkshire. They had many children who survived to the adulthood. They were Edward The Black Prince, Isabella, Joan (Joanna), William of Hatfield,  Lionel of Antwerp, Duke of Clarence,  John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster,  Edmund of Langley, Duke of York, Blanche de la Tour,  Mary, Margaret, Thomas, William of Windsor, Thomas of Woodstock, Duke of Gloucester and Joan. Edward III also had children with his mistress Alice Perrers. They were Sir John de Southeray, Joan, Jane and Nicholas Lytlington Abbot of Westminster.

Edward III reigned from 1330-1377 CE and his reign mostly dominated by military adventures. He defeated David II of Scotland at Haildon Hill and drove him into exile in 1333 CE. He claimed the disputed French throne thus starting the Hundred years war in 1337 CE. Edward, the Black Prince son of Edward III defeated the French at Poitiers in 1356 CE and captured the French King John. French negotiated for the peace. Treaty of Bretigny in 1360 ceded huge areas of northern France to English sovereignty.

English society changed drastically during Edward's reign. English replaced French as the national language in 1362 CE. Mercantilism emerged as Feudalism declined. Taxes on exports and commerce replaced land-based taxes as the primary form of revenue of the government. Parliament formally divided into the upper house representing the nobility and high clergy and the lower house representing the middle classes. Plague brought devastation during 1348-1350 CE and reduced the population of England by a third.

Philippa died in 1369 CE. Edward, the Black Prince died in 1376 and the old king spent the last year of his life grieving.
His other son John of Gaunt, Alice Perrers and William Latimer (the chamberlain of the household) dominated the government during his last year.

Edward III died of a Stroke in 1377 at Sheen Palace in Richmond, Surrey. He was interred at Westminster Abbey, London, England.
 
 


Silver Half Penny of Edward III 1335-43 CE.
Pre-Treaty Issue.
Obverse: Facing bust of Edward III with legend "Edward the king of England".
Reverse: Long cross with legend CIVITAS LONDON".
Mint: London.

Silver Penny of Edward III 1351-52 CE
Pre-Treaty Issue.
Obverse: Facing bust of Edward III with legend "Edward the king of England and France".
Reverse: Long cross with legend POSVI DEUM ADVTOREM MEUM CIVITAS LONDON".
Mint: London.
Reference: Coincraft E32D-005, S1584, N1194.


Silver Half Groat of Edward III 1351-52 CE
4th Issue. Pre-Treaty.
Obverse: Facing bust of Edward III with legend "Edward the king of England and France".
Reverse: Long cross with legend POSVI DEUM ADVTOREM MEUM CIVITAS LONDON".
Mint: London.
Reference: Coincraft E32D-005, S1574, N1148.


Silver Groat of Edward III 1351-52 CE
Pre-Treaty issue.
Obverse: Facing bust of Edward III with legend "Edward by the grace of God king of England and France Lord of Ireland".
Reverse: Long cross with legend "POSVI DEUM ADVTOREM MEUM CIVITAS LONDON"
Mint: London
Reference: Coincraft E34D-015, S1565.


Gold Quarter Noble of Edward III 1363-69 CE
Treaty issue.
Obverse: Royal coat of arms with legend "Edward by the grace of God king of England".
Reverse: Lis in center of reverse cross with legend "EXALTARBITUR IN GLORIA".
Mint: London.
Reference: Coincraft E3QN-055, S1511, N1243.


Gold Half Noble of Edward III 1361-69 CE
Treaty issue.
Obverse: King in ship holding sword with legend "Edward by the grace of God king of England Lord of Irish and Aquitaine".
Reverse: Cross pattee with legend "DOMINE NE FURORE TUO ARGUS ME O".
Mint: London.
Reference: Coincraft E3HN-035, S1507.


Gold Noble of Edward III 1354-55 CE
Pre-Treaty issue.
Obverse: King in ship holding sword with legend "Edward by the grace of God king of England and France Lord of Irish".
Reverse: Reverse Cross with legend "IHE AUTEM TRANSIENS PER MEDIUM ILLORUMIBAT".
Mint: London.
Reference: Coincraft E3NB-035, S1488.



 
 
 
 
 


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RK. November 24, 2001.