World Silver France - 1015-1036 Denier, Maine PCGS AU55

FRANCE. Maine. Herbert I. Comte de Maine, 1015-1036. Denier, undated (This design was used for two centuries). Cross pattee within circle of annulets; 2 annulets, one in first and second quadrants; Alpha in third and omega in fourth angle; SIGNUM DEI VIVI / Herbert monogram in circle of annulets. + COMES CENOMANNIS. Roberts 4122. PdA-1548. PCGS has graded two as AU55 with none finer.

Ruins of the fortress of Montrichard. Herbert I went to battle against the forces of Odo II of Blois to protect it in 1016. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Herbert I (died 13 April 1035) who was also called ‘Wakedog,’ was the Count of Maine from 1017 until his passing. He had a chaotic career with an early victory that may have foreshadowed his later decline.

The son of Hugh III, he succeeded his father as the Count of Maine. At times, Herbert was a minor vassal of his neighbor, Fulk III Nera, the Count of Anjou. However, he otherwise considered himself independent and earned his ‘Wakedog’ nickname by consistently resisting the invasions of his Angevin neighbors that were south of him. Beginning in 1017, when he became Count, he was endlessly at war with Avesgaud de Belleme, the Bishop of Le Mans.

It was in 1016 that the young Herbert became allied to Fulk III in a war against Odo II of Blois. On July 6, Odo was heading to attack the fortress of Montrichard. When learning of this, Fulk and Herbert split their army to block both of the approaches to the fortress. Odo ran headfirst into the Angevin forces under Fulk. The became known as the Battle of Pontlevoy. Odo’s greater forces were winning and Fulk was tossed from his horse and in danger of being killed or captured during the battle. However, a messenger had been sent to Herbert to make haste to assist Fulk.

Attacking the left flank of Odo’s forces, Herbert threw them into utter confusion. That resulted in Odo’s mounted units fleeing the scene, leaving his foot soldiers to be routed. Odo was defeated and was powerless to challenge Fulk again for almost a decade. This battled established Herbert as a successful warrior, however, it also led to the deterioration of the relationship between Fulk and his erstwhile vassal, Herbert.