Activity

Musings on monetary silver and medieval politics. In this promo video by the Austrian Mint, it is recalled that the mint owes its foundation to Duke Leopold V of Austria 825 years ago. He imprisoned King Richard the Lionheart, who was returning overland to the crusades; the Duke had held Acre against the attack by Saladin in 1191 and for his trouble had had his standard torn down after the arrival of the English and the French. The Austrians got 100,000 pounds of silver, and the event caused a financial crisis in England. The story goes that “Robin Hood” began his mission as a reaction against the crushing taxes on the people.