4769) "The Battle of Hastings fought on 14.10.1066", resulted in a Norman victory under William, Duke of Normandy and marked the beginning of Norman rule in England, Republic of France (Francaise Republique): "960th Anniversary Commemoration (1066-2026) Monnaie de Paris (The Paris Mint) has issued Base Metal, Silver and Gold Coins to mark the historic battle: Date/Year of Coins issue: 2026:
The Battle of Hastings (1066):
The Battle of Hastings, fought on 14 October 1066, resulted in the Norman victory under William, Duke of Normandy, and marked the beginning of Norman rule in England.
Background:
The battle occurred after the death of the childless King Edward the Confessor in January 1066, which triggered a succession crisis.
Harold Godwinson was
crowned king, but his claim was contested by William of Normandy and other
claimants, including Harald Hardrada of Norway and
Harold’s own brother Tostig.
Harold defeated
Hardrada and Tostig at the Battle of Stamford Bridge on 25 September 1066,
but this left his forces exhausted when William landed in southern
England at Pevensey on 28 September 1066, establishing a beachhead for
his invasion.
The Battle:
The battle took place approximately 7 miles northwest of Hastings, near the present-day town of Battle, East Sussex.
Harold’s army,
composed mainly of infantry, took a defensive position on a hill, while
William’s Norman forces included cavalry, infantry, and archers.
The battle lasted a full day, with both sides suffering heavy casualties.
According to contemporary accounts, including the Bayeux Tapestry, Harold was killed during the fighting, which led to the collapse of English resistance.
Outcome and Significance:
William’s victory at Hastings was decisive.
Following the battle, he advanced toward London and was crowned King of England on 25 December 1066.
- The Norman Conquest fundamentally transformed English society, introducing Norman culture, language, and governance structures.
- The battle also demonstrated the effectiveness of combined arms tactics, including cavalry and archery, against a primarily infantry-based army.
Legacy:
The Battle of Hastings is commemorated in the Bayeux Tapestry, an 11th-century embroidery that visually records the events leading up to and including the battle. The site of the battle later became the town of Battle, where William founded Battle Abbey to commemorate his victory.
- The battle remains one of the most significant events in English history, marking the end of Anglo-Saxon rule and the beginning of Norman dominance.
Embroidered cloth - The Bayeux Tapestry:
- This is an embroidered cloth approximately 70 meters (230 feet) long and 50 centimeters (20 inches) tall, depicting the events leading up to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.
- Commissioned by Bishop Odo of Bayeux, it narrates the story from the reign of Edward the Confessor to the Battle of Hastings, showcasing key moments and figures from the period.
- Although it is technically an embroidery, it is often referred to as a tapestry due to its design.
- The tapestry is currently displayed in the British Museum in London, having been moved there for a temporary exhibition from September 2026 to July 2027.
Scenes from the Bayeux Tapestry:
Scene from the Bayeux Tapestry showing mounted Norman cavalrymen fighting Anglo-Saxon infantry positioned in a shield wall
The year 2026 celebrates the 960th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings, an event that is marked by both Great Britain and France as a decisive victory for William the Conqueror over the Anglo-Saxon armies in Britain.
- The victory brought an end to Anglo-Saxon rule and paved the way for the Norman conquest of England.
- The Battle of Hastings permanently transformed the political and cultural history of the kingdom. Nearly a thousand years later, this founding event remains a major symbol of European history.
William I (1028-1087):
- William I (1028 – 1087) was the illegitimate and only son of Robert I, Duke of Normandy. Despite his circumstances of birth, William was named his father’s heir and succeeded to the title of duke in 1035.
- William’s claim to the English throne stemmed from his assertion that the childless King Edward the Confessor had promised him the crown in 1051 during the years he had spent in exile in Normandy.
- However, when Edward the Confessor died in January 1066, the Witenagemot - the English council of nobles chose Harold Godwinson as king and as such, Harold took the crown for himself, breaking his oath to William.
- William refused to accept this and viewed Harold as an illegal ruler. With this in mind, William crossed the English Channel.
- King Harold, hearing of the landing of William and his armies, departed for Hastings, mustering whatever troops he could.
- The battle began on the 14th October 1066. King Harold was killed during the battle, allegedly from an arrow which struck him in the eye and launched by a Norman soldier. With their king dead, the English line collapsed.
- William was crowned King of England and recognised as the first King of the House of Normandy. King William I – also known as ‘the conqueror’ died on the 9th September 1087, from severe internal injuries after an accident on his horse, he was 58 years old.
The House of Normandy produced three kings of England: William I the Conqueror, William II Rufus, and Henry I Beauclerc. This dynasty ruled England from 1066 until the end of the Plantagenet dynasty in 1154.
The Coins:
The Gold and Silver Proof Coins are designed by the chief engraver of the Monnaie de Paris, Joaquin Jimenez, who has taken a very unique approach to the portrait of William I.
The Obverse shared on both Gold and Silver Coins recreates a key scene from the Bayeux Tapestry, in which Norman horsemen charge the English infantry on the Sussex hills at Hastings.
- The success of this offensive was decisive in the Normans’ victory in the conquest of England.
- Above the primary design is the text "1066 – 2026. HASTINGS" and below, the denomination "200 EURO (gold) or 10 EURO (silver)" along with the initials "RF" (representing Republique Francaise).
- The Reverse shared on both Gold and Silver features a front-facing image of the Duke of Normandy, known as ‘the Conqueror’, about to be crowned as William I, King of England.
- Seated on the throne of Edward the Confessor in Westminster Abbey, William holds in his left hand a sceptre, symbol of royal power.
- Along the upper left periphery is the inscription "DUC DE NORMANDIE" and along the upper right - "ROI D’ANGLETERRE".
Under William’s image is his name "GUILLAUME 1ER".
The specifications of the Gold, Silver and Base Metal Coins are:
Denomination Metal Weight Diameter Quality Mintage Limit
¼ Euro Base Metal 15.8 gr. 34 mm. UNC 10,000 pieces
10 Euro .999 Silver 22.2 g. 37 mm. Proof 5,000 pieces
20 Euro .999 Gold 3.11 g. 15 mm. Proof 1,000
50 Euro .999 Gold 7.78 g. 22.2 mm. Proof 1,000 pieces
200 Euro .999 Gold 31.1 g. 37 mm. Proof 250 pieces
- The base metal UNC coins are presented in a sealed coin-card format with specifications included on the packaging.
- The Gold and Silver Proof quality coins are encapsulated and presented in a custom case accompanied with a Certificate of Authenticity (COA).
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1) For more on the Olympics and Paralympics held in the past, including the origins and history of the Olympics and Commemorative coins issued both on London Olympics and Paralympics please read my post on the London Olympics 2012 link as follows: History of the ancient & modern Olympics and Paralympics & commemorative coins issued during the London Olympics and Paralympics
4) For Rio 2016, please click on the following link to get interesting insights into the mascots of the Rio Olympics Vinicius and Tom, the Games and the Commemorative Coins and stamps issue programme: 1)The 31st Summer Olympics "Rio 2016"2) Commemorative Stamps and booklets issued by the Department of Posts, India on 05.08.2016
5) For Ancient Olympic Games on Greek Coins of Antiquity, please click on the following link: Ancient Olympic Games on Greek Coins of Antiquity
6) For a set of Post cards titled "Olympic Events" : please click on the following link: "Olympic Events": A set of 12 Post Cards issued by the Karnataka Postal Circle, India Post on 11.07.2016
7) For a presentation set of two stamps titled "Spirit of Olympics, Athens, Atlanta" please visit the following link: Spirit of the Olympic Games, Athens-Atlanta: Celebrating the Centenary of the Modern Olympic Games
8) For a presentation set of four stamps titled "XXVIII Olympic Games" (2004 Summer Olympics Athens, Greece, please visit the following link: XVIII Summer Olympic Games, Athens Greece (2004)
9) For a presentation set of two stamps titled "XXIX Olympic Games" (2008 Summer Olympics, Beijing, China, please visit the following link: XXIX Olympic Games Beijing, China: 08.08.08- 24.08.08: A Presentation set of four stamps issued by India Post on 08.08.08
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DeleteSantosh Khanna has commented: ·
ReplyDelete"Thanks for sharing this informative post."
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