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The millennium bounded by the barbarian takeover of Rome and the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople saw the rise of notable figures — several of whom are represented in this Gallery Page — whose sheer determination, ruthlessness, and military prowess undeniably qualify their status as a medieval “badass.” Arguably, the figure atop this lofty leaderboard is William I (1028–1087 AD), aka "the Conqueror,” the tenacious King who fundamentally changed the power structure of England, and whose influence ultimately suffused throughout the Mediterranean basin and well beyond.
William’s clan, the Normans — descendants of Viking raiders who settled in France — were arguably the most dynamic and aggressive force of the 11th century. Long before the Normans invaded Britain, William already had a rather fearsome reputation in his home base in France. As a case example, consider the siege of Alençon, a city located in the highly contested border region between Normandy and Anjou. The local residents challenged William’s royal credentials; they mocked his mother’s humble lineage by hanging raw animal hides from the city walls. In response, William severed the hands and feet of dozens of prisoners that he had captured thus far and flung the bloody body parts back over the ramparts. The daunted rebels understandably relented. Consequently, William consolidated his power over the region, setting the stage for future conquests beyond France’s shores.
In 1066 AD, William famously invaded the land formerly hailed as the Roman Province of Britannia. Legend has it that with William’s first step on the British shore he tripped and fell flat on his face. As his superstitious troops gasped at the bad omen, their commander allegedly scrambled up, clutched two fistfuls of sand, and shouted, “
See, I have taken England with both hands!” Apocryphal or not, William’s brazen swagger fired up his troops. In a mere three months, William managed to claim Britain’s crown. After mopping up for about five years and stamping out all remaining pockets of resistance, the entire island bowed to his rule. For context, this goal was never reached before, even by Rome’s most accomplished commanders over the course of five centuries.
The campaigns of William’s fellow Norman dynasts were likewise impressive — and brutal. The Normans established a formidable power base in Southern Italy and Sicily, a region previously contested by the Byzantines and the Holy Roman Emperors. While William consolidated his new Anglo-Norman realm, his distant cousin, Robert Guiscard, was aggressively carving out the Norman Duchy of Apulia and Calabria. This dual expansion demonstrated the unstoppable momentum of the Norman enterprise, posing a threat to both old and new imperial powers.
Perhaps the most visceral display of Norman power occurred within the walls of the Eternal City itself. In 1084 AD, the reigning Pope, Gregory VII, was besieged in Rome by the Holy Roman Emperor, Henry IV. This clash represented the latest installment in a decades-long, highly complex power struggle between the Papacy and the Holy Roman Empire. The Pope called for aid, and answering the call was Guiscard, likely with the knowledge and support of William. A Norman-led force tens of thousands strong marched on Rome. Notably, the composition of that force was highly eclectic, including mercenaries of all sorts, including Lombard and—shockingly for a Papal rescue mission—Saracens (desert Arabs) from Sicily. Guiscard’s men broke the siege which allowed the Pope to escape the scene. However, the locals apparently did not welcome their liberators; many Romans still supported the Holy Roman Emperor. In response, Guiscard’s troops brutally sacked the city for three days. Moreover, fires were set throughout the city, presumably ordered by Guiscard whose mission had evolved from papal extraction to rebellion extirpation.
In this regard, Guiscard emulated his cousin's methods. As a key component of the aforementioned mop up effort, William carried out the infamous "Harrying of the North," a scorched-earth campaign that depopulated vast swathes of Northern England. Apparently, Guiscard was now following William’s lead in managing the present, unruly situation in Rome. Fire swept through the Caelian and Aventine Hills, reducing entire districts to ash. The damage was so extensive that once-populous districts remained largely uninhabited for centuries afterward.
These events unfolded contemporaneously with the striking of this medieval penny. Struck at Britain’s mint in Dover, the Obverse features William as the new Anglo-Norman monarch, portrayed in a regal, crowned facing bust, holding the scepter of his new kingdom. The inscription, PILLELM REX, translated as “William King,” is a simple and powerful statement of sovereignty achieved by the right of conquest. The Reverse is of particular interest, featuring a cross pattée with the letters P A X S in the four quarters. These letters denote “Peace,” a motif that echoes the reverse design of ancient Roman coins that featured the goddess of peace, namely Pax. The reverse inscription, + LEFPINE ON DOIV, identifies the moneyer as Leofwine of Dover. In the medieval context, he held a responsibility analogous to the ancient Roman
tresviri aere argento auro flando feriundo (the "three men for casting and striking bronze, silver, and gold").
Behind this reverse design lies a profound historical irony. Just as ancient Rome issued coins hailing Pax while the legions nearly constantly battled external and internal enemies, William proclaimed his "King's Peace" on this silver penny while his knights subjugated the Saxons and his cousins burned Rome. The enduring theme is sensitively promoted, but very clear: peace enforced by the sword.
Augustus’ launch of the Roman Empire and William’s unification of Britain were both based on establishing stability through total domination. But from there, destinies diverged. Whereas the Roman Empire’s genesis was succeeded by
Pax Romana, a relative peace that lasted two centuries, the Normans continued their restless military expansion. Ultimately, William did more than conquer a kingdom; he forged a new world order, setting in motion a legacy of bold exploration and conquest that eventually carried his descendants to the shores to lands yet undiscovered.
Coin Details: NORMAN, William I 'the Conqueror', 1066-1087, AR Penny (21mm, 1.39 g, 4h), Paxs type (BMC viii), Dover mint, Leofwine, moneyer, Struck circa 1083-1086, NGC Grade:AU55, Obverse: Crowned facing bust, holding scepter; annulet on right shoulder, PILLELM REX, Reverse: Cross pattée; letters of P A X S in annulets within quarters, + LEFPINE ON DOIV, References: North 850; SCBC 1257.
Image: NGC Photo Vision Plus.