[MR] BBC: French Bishop’s Coin Brooch from Norfolk

[Garth Groff and Sally Sanford]

Noble Friends,

Yesterday the BBC reported on the discovery of a fascinating brooch made
from a French coin in Norfolk. As is so often the case, this was found by a
metal detectorist.

The 13th century brooch is what is called a gros tournois, a coin much
larger than the typical English silver penny. When these large coins were
introduced during the reign of French king Louis IX (aka Saint Louis),
fashionable people had them made into jewelry with an added pin back, and
sometimes the brooches were gilded like this example.

This brooch is not royal coinage, however. It shows the head of Enguerrand
of Crequi, Bishop of Bishop of Cambrai between 1273 and 1293.

Sadly, there is no way of knowing how this brooch ended up in Norfolk.

The illustrated story is found at
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg4l059kkeo .

Yours Aye,


Mungo Napier, Laird of Mallard Lodge  🦆
Continuing a crusade to keep Merry Rose relevant and in business.