The Great British Coin Giveaway

Rob, or Lord Marcovan,  is a coin collector from, well, somewhere out west depending on where you start.  The good Lord  has suggested a giveaway for the History of England - very generous of him it is too. 

So the rules are: 

You have to post a comment on this post - it could be anything: a comment, a suggestion to improve the podcast (don't speak so fast for example), or a subject you'd like me to cover or a question.

1. We'll put the names in the hat for all the commenters, and then pull one out at random on 8th January
2. Rob will send the winner their coins

What could be simpler? Thanks Rob.

Here are the coins that Rob is offering to you all: 

And finally here's Rob's original post, so you know the background !

Hello, David and fellow listeners! This is Rob in the USA. Happy Holidays and greetings from the Golden Isles of Georgia! I haven't listened to this episode yet- I'm still back a ways and haven't caught up. I'm still a relatively new listener. Anyway, David, you'd earlier put out a call for some listener podcast contributions and such, but I believe it fell flat. I for one don't have the necessary technical skill to contribute in that way. But here's what I propose to do... I'm a coin guy, you see (longtime collector and part time dealer). And I love old English coins. So I thought I'd pledge a giveaway of some fun old coins. Nothing super valuable, mind you- I haven't got the money to offer up a nice gold sovereign or Anglo Saxon penny, though I do periodically get inexpensive medieval coins. What I propose is this. Just for fun, I hereby pledge to donate a small group of five old coins, as a promotional giveaway to some lucky History Of England podcast listener. If David would see fit to make a short announcement in a future episode, and challenge all listeners to "stand and deliver"- in other words, stand up and be counted by posting a comment- then I'll take a random number generator and select a winner from amongst those who commented. (In other words, the digital equivalent of drawing a name from a hat). I can then send the coins to the winner, once I've been provided a shipping address. (Alternately, I could ship them to David and he could mail them from the UK, but I'm perfectly willing to save him the hassle and ship direct from this side of the pond.) I enjoy podcasts like this immensely- they make my dull overnight shifts more tolerable. So what say ye all? Want to win some coins? Just add a comment or do whatever it is David decides to announce. I stand by, ready to donate them. Don't forget his PayPal donation link, too. I've been too cheap to use it thus far, so let this be my first modest contribution. If the response is good, then hey- who knows- maybe I'll do it again later, with an even older and better coin or two! DISCLAIMER: David had no prior notice of me offering this. I'm going under my own initiative, here. If he decides for whatever reason that such a giveaway would cause problems for him, then it's off. But otherwise, it could be fun, eh?

Comments

[David Nicoll]

Not sure whether you wanted the comment on this post or not (I gave one on the last Richard episode), but in case not see my suggestion for a programme there (on manorialism from the Normans to the 21st century). Have fun and a great Christmas.

[Ryan]

As a lover of English history and a fan of old coins, I think this is a great idea.

[Priscilla Warren]

A giveaway! This is fun.

David, I love your podcasts, but sometimes find it hard to catch the last word or two of some sentences. You drop your voice so low it is hard to hear.
Would you consider posting a picture of yourself on the web page so we can picture you when we listen. It's a bit like listening to Radio 7 and trying to imagine what the actors look like.
What can you tell us about Château Gaillard? I've visited Les Andelys several times and I'm always fascinated by it. Am I correct in understanding it was his favorite?
OK, that should be enough questions for one day.
Cheers

[Robin S]

As a listener who was brought up by a member of the 'Richard III Society', so proceeded to steadfastly ignore everything about it in an act of rebellion I would be very grateful if you could do an in-depth episode into the controversy surrounding Richard III.

Many thanks for the podcasts, I'm still quietly working my way through them, currently on #22.

[Luise (Tasmania,Australia)]

"I haven't had a chance to listen to the latest installment but I wanted to share this link. I spent happy times in the area around Dürnstein in Austria and the legend is fondly retold, in a few versions, of Richard's incarceration in the castle there and his rescue by the minstrel. Love your work btw."

http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/blondel-the-minstrel.htm

(reposted from ep 45)

[Aviram]

David, I love your podcast!
The only suggestion I have is to add a section on the web site with your recommended places to visit and the corresponding episodes in which they are mentioned. Just an idea...

I was listening to chapter 45 today and I think I read somewhere that the Jews in Clifford Tower were set on fire by the mob and not commit suicide. I’ll need to look up the sources and find out.

Have a great holiday season!

[Ben Nicholson]

The the only question I can think of at the moment is one I was thinking of anyway and have been meaning to say for a bit. If my my memory serves me right, you said that you where thinking of carrying on to Queen Victoria ish. Now the problem with that is she was the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. So how are you going to go about this are you going to talk about england's row in the Great Britain and the UK or are you just going to change it to the history of GB & the history of the UK or are you going to stop in 1701 when the Kingdom's of England and Scotland offically end with the founding og Great Britain or when Queen Elizabeth I dies and the same person has the crowns of both Enfland, Scotland and Ireland?

[John W.]

I only just found this podcast, but I love it. It's the right mix of information, humor, and acknowledgement of controversial points for me.

The maps on the site are great, but I wonder if there's any chance they could be larger? I adore maps and poring over them, so when they're small, it makes me a little sad.

Also, may I preemptively recommend an extensive family tree when you get to the Wars of the Roses? They're entirely impossible to follow without one, I've found. (Actually, family trees are always really helpful when discussing noble houses. Just doubly so for that period.)

(I'm very excited: this evening, I get to listen to hear about The Conquest!)

[Warren]

Great idea Rob. While I'm a faithful listener as well, I don't have anything so cool to give away.

[Matt]

Rather enjoyed this episode as well. Richard I is one of the more interesting kings in my opinion. I remember reading a historical fiction as a child, called 'Lionheart', that got me interested in the Angevins.

As a side note, the 'In Our Time' podcast on BBC4 about the third crusade is particularly entertaining. Melvyn has a to step in and stop a brewing row between a western and a Muslim scholar who disagree on more than a few points. Well worth the listen.

Anyways, love the tone of the podcast, lots of good history without getting too 'heavy'.

Cheers

[alexis]

you and your listener my enjoy the episode of 365 day of astorony about what astronomy the anglo-saxons new

[John W.]

As a post scriptum, I was amused to hear in an episode I just listened to that apparently you have fans who iron while listening. I've been cross-stitching. Podcasts (especially this one) don't use my eyes or fingers, but they keep my brain entertained, which is perfect.

[Georgie Lee]

My husband and I are really enjoying the podcast. Keep up the good work!

[Chas Smith]

Thanks for the recommendation of Bernard Cornwell's Anglo-Saxon series. The first five books arrived Saturday and I'm about to start the third one. Which, of course, means that I'll have a frustrating wait until the latest is released in the States.

[FrankJ]

Congratulations on your first anniversary, David. Your presentation style has improved in several ways: I can understand more of your trailing words despite the road noise in my car (see Priscilla's observation of 18 Dec.), you are modulating (punching) more which keeps my attention sharp, and your sense of humor is shining.

During your (our?) time off, I'll go back and listen to the early episodes again because I'm sure that I had missed many little things while trying to get oriented to the larger story.

Congratulations, too, on a successful venture. Your podcast is one of three that I insist on burning to CD each week.

Thank you, and Happy Christmas!

[Rob Shinnick]

As the donor of the coin giveaway, let me apologize for the rather modest quality and/or value of the coins themselves. From a numismatic standpoint, I'm afraid they aren't exactly worthy of a great fanfare of trumpets or anything. (Then again, we numismatic coin-geeky types are a rather nitpicky lot.) Later on, perhaps I can offer up something more contemporary to the episode(s) at hand, but we've got to get at least a bit later into the Middle Ages before that becomes affordable! Anyway, 'tis just for fun, and to thank David for his efforts. May you all have a happy and prosperous 2012.

[Jeremy Hoffman]

Love the podcast. Very informative and never dull. I enjoy your sense of humor as well. Keep posting the original documents, they give a nice sense of history. Book recommendations are nice as well because you talk about the differing points of view to history.

Keep up the great work.

[Brian Almon]

Along with Mike Duncan's the History of Rome this is my favorite weekly podcast. It's been fascinating to see England grow from a few Germanic tribes to (at this point in the podcast) the most powerful empire in Europe. (Part of it, of course - the Angevins thought their French possessions more important.)

Anyway, keep up the good work.

About the coins. When I was in Canada recently I examined some Canadian coins and noticed they were slightly different than British ones. (I visited Scotland last year.) Doing some research, I found that all the Commonwealth realms display a picture of Queen Elizabeth, signed "DG" or "Dei Gratia" which means "By the grace of God." However, British coins include some extra words - "FD" or "Fidei Defensor" which means "Defender of the Faith." I may be the only person who didn't notice that, but I found it interesting.

[Rob Shinnick]

Brian- regarding the coin legends, if you look at some British coins (like the George V penny in the picture above, for instance), you'll notice there are also the abbreviations "ET IND IMP" ("and Emperor of India"). This is of course conspicuously absent on coins struck near the end of George VI's reign, when the "IND IMP" part was dropped following the independence of India. (Note the two Elizabeth II pieces shown above.)

[Mark kennedy]

Love the podcast, I listen to it every week! The only thought I might have would be: how about an episode detailing how royalty lived and where. Which castles were the royal residences for which years, and did they spend all year there, or spend the summer elsewhere, etc.?

Thanks again for the great podcast!!!

[Gill C]

Just wanted to say how much I am enjoying your podcasts. It's all very new to me so far (never knew what happened before 1066), and as a late listener who's only reached Episode 24 I know I shall have to listen to it all again a number of times for it to sink in! But you are making it so interesting that I am getting hooked. There is nothing like an enthusiastic lecturer to open the eyes of someone as old and ignorant as me! Dog and I now can't wait to set off on the morning walk, ipod attached, and plug in for the next episode. Thank you.

[Mark Waddington]

I really enjoy the podcast and it is helping me learn a huge amount about English history. Please don't change the soap opera style narrative. It's so much more engaging than Simon Schama or his ilk.

I would like the podcasts to carry occasional recommendations for things to do to discover more about the historical topic being covered, whether it's a day out, or a book to read, a film to watch, really don't care.

[Simon Thomas]

Hi David, am still stuck back with Richard's dad, Henry. Am looking forward to getting into Richard - I remember the Ladybird book quote well - I had the same book and it was this that got me started on my love of history.

[The History of England]

Thanks for everyone who's contributed to the Great British Coin giveaway - it's been fantastic to have all your comments, a real thrill for me! So I start the New Year with plenty of enthusiasm...I figure that I've averaged 6 years an episode since 1066 so that's what, 300 years I might cover in 2012? That'll take us in the war of the roses...anyone fancy a sweepstake on where I end up this time next year?

Anyway, Happy New Year everyone, and thanks for listening.

[Nick S.]

Hi David,

I've sent this to you by email, but I'd like to toss my hat in the ring for the coin giveaway, as I'm a bit of a numismatist as well as a history nerd.

Here's a question I've been mulling over for many episodes: as an ignorant American, I'm a bit bewildered by your system of "peerage" and aristocratic titles. While I can piece together what barons are in relation to their constant feuding with the kings and the push and pull for supremacy or autonomy, I'm not clear on what distinguishes barons from earls or dukes or viscounts or other lords; how this system emerged from the Anglo-Saxon system under Norman influence, and how it changed over time; how it differed from the aristocratic & feudal system in Normandy and other Angevin territories in present-day France; etc etc. Maybe all Brits know this stuff intuitively or absorb it by osmosis, but across the pond it's always been a bit bewildering to me. Could you possibly take a bit of time in an upcoming episode to clarify some of that?

And as for the sweepstakes: given how the number of sources to which you've got access from Richard and John onwards will increase exponentially in relation to what you had for Anglo-Saxon England- and also the range of the podcast is expanding past just a chronology of kings into much more diverse social, economic, cultural, etc history- I'd wager you'll barely get out of the Plantaganets by next New Year's. This is not a challenge, by the way- take your time and get in depth into each topic, by all means!

Happy New Year, and many thanks!
-Nick