The late medieval period saw significant shifts in money control, moving from local lords to royal oversight as kings consolidated power. Initially, various lords minted coins, but by the late thirteenth century, royal mints regained dominance. This transformation placed coinage under the king's control, reflecting his role as the embodiment of the political community. The monopoly on coinage allowed for economic consolidation and fostered national identity, indicating that currency was a tool for both economic and social cohesion, as highlighted by thinkers like Nicholas Oresme.
The right to mint coins had slipped from the exclusive hands of royal authorities and into the hands of a wide range of lords, highlighting shifting power dynamics.
Kings imposed an increasingly effective monopoly over their royal currencies, positioning themselves as public office holders embodying the community of the realm.
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