File:Medieval, Coin Hoard (FindID 412525).jpg

2005 T419

I have examined 5 coins reported found at Myddle on 4 September 2005, during a metal detecting rally. These coins are all gold doblas of Peter or Pedro I, King of Castile ('Pedro the Cruel'), who reigned 1350-69. All the coins were struck at the Seville mint, the main mint of Castile. They are of good weight and are in generally good condition, with slight indication of wear and a frayed edge on one which was probably there from its manufacture, rather than being the result of damage, since its weight is consistent with the others. Gold coins of the 14^th century are not frequent finds. We do know from documentary sources that foreign gold coins were regularly encountered in early and mid 14^th century England, although these were generally Florentine florins and French écus (a couple of the latter have been found here). However, beginning in the 1350s there was a native English gold coinage generally available and the use of foreign gold declined. No gold from Castile or any of the Spanish kingdoms is known for this period, although there have been a number of finds of low-value silver coins (mostly from Castile and Portugal), although none as late as the 1350s. There can be no question that 5 coins of Pedro of Castile are indeed likely to have formed a single deposit. There is a good explanation for the presence of coins of Pedro I in England, since the sons of King Edward III were heavily involved in Castilian politics. In 1367 Edward's eldest son, the Black Prince, led an army which restored Pedro I to power in Castile. Pedro was murdered two years later, but in 1371 Edward's fourth son John of Gaunt married Pedro's daughter Constance, and subsequently sought to claim Castile in her name. The coins found at Myddle could well have been the possession of a follower of the Black Prince who returned from the successful 1367 campaign. The coins found at Myddle are of good gold and were certainly deposited together, probably at some time in the late 1360s-1370s. In my opinion they fulfil the criteria of Treasure, according to the terms of the Act. Dr B.J. Cook Curator of Medieval and Early Modern Coinage Department of Coins and Medals British Museum 8 December 2005