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Auction: 318 - The Collector's Series
Lot: 1015

England. Norman Kings. William II (1087-1100). Cross in Quatrefoil Penny. Chichester, moneyer: Edwine? 1.40 gms. Crowned facing bust, holding sword; (+)PILLELM REX, rev. Cross pattée, pellets in angles, within quatrefoil; +DI-E ON CICEST. Third son of the Conqueror, William II was known as "Rufus" for his florid complexion. An effective but ruthless soldier-king of "astonishing" physical strength, William was well favored by his troops and supported by his barons. But he reaped only ire and scorn from contemporary historians, nearly all ecclesiastics, for the tax burden he placed on the church and the conduct of his personal affairs. The 'Anglo-Saxon Chronicles' say of him, William "was hated by almost all his people and abhorrent to God". He was killed in a rather dubious hunting accident by an arrow shot by one of his men, Walter Tirel. His nobles left William's body where he fell, while his younger brother Henry made haste to Winchester to secure the royal treasury, then hied himself to London where he was crowned within days. Rare. Toned over faint obverse deposit, minor weakness of strike reverse periphery. Very Fine.

Sold for
$2,300