Prince Henry (1139-1152), Sterling, Period A, Corbridge, Erebald, large bust of crude style, no inner circle, [h]e[nric]vs, rev. cross moline, er[ebald o]n coreb:, 0.99g/1h (Boon, SNC 1983, p.226; Mack 283-4; N 912; S 5011 and 1309). Fine, extremely rare (£2,500-3,000)

Provenance:
Found near Wilbrams, Cambridgeshire
DNW Auction 57, 19 March 2003, lot 551.

David I and his son, Prince Henry, supported the cause of the Empress Matilda during the Anarchy (1139-53). After the Battle of the Standard in which Stephen’s forces defeated the Scots under the command of David I, a treaty was concluded by which the Earldom of Northumberland (already David I’s by right) was settled on Prince Henry. Cumberland, Northumberland and Westmorland were, as a result, in Scottish hands for the remainder of Stephen’s reign