The Fitzwilliam Museum - University of Cambridge

52
Major Acquisitions
William of Aumale, earl of York
(1138–79)
Penny attributed to William of
Aumale, earl of York
c.1150
Silver, Diam. 1.9 cm, Wt 0.99 g
Purchased from the Grierson and
Leverton Harris Funds with grants
from The Art Fund and the
MLA/V&A Purchase Grant Fund.
CM.692-2005
The Anarchy of King Stephen’s reign
finds no better manifestation than in the
coinage. Normally produced under tight
royal control, in the 1140s and early 1150s
the system broke down and only southeastern
England remained under the
king’s direct authority. Elsewhere local
coinages were introduced, many of them
ostensibly in the name of Stephen or his
rival the Empress Matilda, but a few
barons were bold enough to put their
own names on the coinage.
This unique coin bearing the name
WILLEAMUS, was struck in York
evidently for William of Aumale, earl of
York (1138–79), who previously was not
known to have issued any coinage of his
own. William controlled the royal castle
at York and exercised jurisdictional
authority there. Although initially a loyal
supporter of Stephen, during the 1140s
his allegiance gave way to self-interest.
The coin shows the baron standing in
armour and helmet brandishing a sword.
York’s somewhat flamboyant coinage in
this period, which includes rare issues by
two lesser noblemen, Eustace fitz John
and Robert of Stuteville, would have
been authorised by William of Aumale.
The discovery of an issue in his own
name enriches our understanding of this
turbulent period.