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V4 2001 INDEX       E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 4, Number 28, July 8, 2001, Article 9 SHAKESPEARE'S NUMISMATIC MIXUPS In response to our earlier topic of movie money mixups, Ron Haller-Williams reminds us that numismatic bloopers have been with us for far longer than movies have been around. He writes: "Did you know that Shakespeare was as bad as any? In his "Henry the Fift[h]" (1598/9), the eponymous English King says, just before the battle of Agincourt (25th October 1415): ... He which hath no stomach for this fight, Let him depart; his passport shall be made, and crowns for convoy put into his purse". [Act 4 scene 3] Of course, English crowns were not produced until 1526, though admittedly the French "écu d'or" or "écu à la couronne" was introduced in the reign of Charles VI (1380- 1422) - unfortunately undated, like most coins of that era! But since the objective of the expedition is portrayed as being Henry's attempt to gain the French throne, and some coins of France were issued in his name, though in parallel with coins of his now father-in-law and doubtless rival Charles VI, it is unlikely that the Henry and his forces would have troubled to exchange their money for French currency! Later in the same play [Act 4 scene 8] he asks his "uncle Exeter, fill this glove with crowns, And give it to this fellow". Later in the same scene, Fluellen, captain of the Welsh guard, says to this same recipient, named Will, to whom he is now trying to give a further "twelve pence": "... 'tis a good silling, I warrant you, or I'll change it." Shillings were not produced until 1502. The use of this (and a groat in act 5 scene 1) tend to confirm that the English forces were almost certainly not using French money, at least among themselves!"

Wayne Homren, Editor

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