The Moneyers of England Database, 973–1086: Case Studies from the London and Southwark Mints

Authors

Jeremy Piercy, University of EdinburghFollow

Abstract

This paper evaluates patterns that are evident in the late Anglo-Saxon mints from 973 to 1086, which indicate a previously undocumented level of organization. The examination of these patterns within the office of moneyer provides a new method for interpreting the significance of these sparsely documented individuals. The minters organized themselves into groups, both along familial lines and in conjunction with other family groups, that would operate for a set period of time, then withdraw in favor of another member of their dynasty, before returning to activity at a later date. Utilizing numismatic and onomastic methodologies, prosopographic networks of the moneyers of late Anglo-Saxon England are realized and developed in order to further progress our understanding of this pre- guild, nascent merchant class. This study is based on the information within the Moneyers of England Database, 973–1086 (hereafter MED), which contains nearly 30,000 points of data representative of one hundred minting locations and over 3,600 periods of individual activity.

Recommended Citation

Piercy, Jeremy (2017) "The Moneyers of England Database, 973–1086: Case Studies from the London and Southwark Mints," Medieval People: Vol. 32: Iss. 1, Article 3.
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/medpros/vol32/iss1/3