Shades of Robin Hood & Magna Charta!

King John was not the most popular English monarch; that is probably why there is no King John II. Still, this period of history is fascinating to study as being the time of the legends of Robin Hood, and the age when the Magna Charta was issued. At any rate, this silver hammered penny dates from 1199 - 1216 AD. The obverse inscription still reads "+ Henricus Rex"... for some reason neither Richard I, nor John saw fit to change it. The reverse is of the short cross type and the moneyer is Walter on Lund - London mint.

As some of you know, I am a fairly serious amateur historian and genealogist. John is my 24th great-grandfather, so I have mixed feelings about him. For every Charlemagne in one's lineage, there is a King John, and for every Henry II, there is an AEthelred II. Medieval genealogy is complicated and there were a lot of intermarriages between notable families of the time. Henry II slept around quite a bit, and I find that I also descend from John's half brother, William Longespee, Earl of Salisbury, as well as about half of the Magna Charta Barons who rebelled against John, and even William Marshall who advised John, his father, his brothers, and his son, Henry III. For all my mixed feelings, I can't deny a part of who I am, though I do cringe every time I watch "The Lion in Winter" Cheers!