Eustice fitz John

Silver penny

York mint, ornamented series, knight standing holding sword upright

Obv. EVSTACIVS, rev. reads +EEM [....] VSDVNE, unrecorded reverse legend, 1.03g (S.1316, N.929, Mack 221). Cracked and repaired but otherwise an attractive example of this extremely rare issue.

Originally from the southeast, Eustice fitz John gained huge areas of land in the North of England through key marriage alliences and became a powerful force. Initially a supporter of Stephen, it appears that he switched sides during The Anarchy to support Matilda's cause. Alnwick Castle, one of Eustice's strongholds, was importantly positioned and was contended for by both King David of Scotland (Matilda's uncle) and Stephen. Eustice became constable of Chester in the 1140's and founded his own abbeys including that of Alnwick in 1147.

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