Antony Bek, Bishop of Durham

408, Lot: 726. Estimate $200. Sold for $240. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

PLANTAGENET. Edward I. 1272-1307. AR Penny (20mm, 1.30 g, 1h). New coinage, class 4b. Durham mint; Antony Bek, bishop. Struck 1283. Crowned facing bust / Long cross pattée; triple pellets in three quarters, cross moline in the other. Allen 40; SCBI 39 (North), 231 (same rev. die); North 1024; SCBC 1395. Good Fine, toned. Very rare.

Hailing from a family of English knights, Antony Bek became acquainted with the future King Edward I early in his career. He accompanied then-Prince Edward on Crusade in 1270, and was subsequently appointed Keeper of the wardrobe in 1274 and constable of the Tower in 1275. Later, Bek was one of the councillors that Edward sent to negotiate the Treaty of Aberconwy with Llwelyn the Great in 1277. The most significant post that Edward secured for Bek was that of the Bishop of Durham, in 1283. During his tenure there, which lasted until his death, Bek continued serving the king. In 1294 he was sent as a member of a diplomatic mission in Europe, primarily to secure allies in Edward’s conflict against Philip IV of France. Bek’s most significant role, though, was to come during Edward’s long engagement with Scotland. After the death of Alexander III in 1286, the king sent Bek to Scotland to secure the throne for Margaret of Norway, who had a claim to the throne and was also betrothed to Edward’s son. When Margaret died shortly thereafter, Bek was instrumental in installing John Balliol, who was Edward’s favored candidate for the Scottish throne. During Edward’s wars in Scotland, Bek served as a commander under the king. He received the surrender of King John I in 1296, and, in 1298, his forces captured Dirleton Castle. Soon thereafter, Bek commanded the right flank of the English army in the pivotal Battle of Falkirk. In 1306, Bek was named Patriarch of Jerusalem by Pope Clement V. He was the only Englishman to hold this title. Bek’s importance to Edward was perhaps best exemplified by his being chosen to lead the funeral service for the king at Westminster Abby on 27 October 1307. His service to the crown continued under Edward II, and in 1308 he was appointed as the lead investigator against the Knights Templar in England. Bek died in 1311, and was buried in Durham Cathedral.