Drachmas, Doubloons and Dollars: The History of Money

The Medieval West

The Hundred Years' War

The Kings of England challenged the Kings of France in the Hundred Years' War, and rising costs of warfare fueled coinage debasement and inflation. Kings were compelled to find new sources of revenue, and Italian bankers developed more sophisticated credit. The war, however, was best remembered for the origins of English and French national consciousness, largely due to the exploits and martyrdom of Joan of Arc.

French gold ecu d'or of King Charles VI (1380-1422) with royal coat-of-arms.

Silver plaquette by Daniel Dupuis (1849-1899) depicting Joan of Arc guided by an angel and hailed as France's national icon.

English gold noble of King Henry V (1415-1422) showing the king on a ship.