The Classical Economies Collection

SEIGNEURIE de DÉOLS

The seigneurs (lords) of Déols first came to prominence in the early 10th century, when Ebbes the Noble founded a Benedictine Abby in the town, which also boasted the ancient Christian tombs of Sts. Leocade and Ludre. Pilgrimages to the latter was largely responsible for the early fortunes of the town and its lords. In the mid-10th century, Raoul the Great gave the family's castle to the Abby, and built a new chateau across the River Loire, which developed into the prominent city of Chateauroux. By this time, the power of Déols was such that virtually all of southern Berry was under its control, rivaling the power of Bourges in the north. The wealth of the family was visible through the prolific issues struck from the time of Eudes l'ancien (1012-1044). Interestingly, Eudes signed his coins as "Dux," but there is no information confirming the grant of this title to him, and it does not occur on the coins of his successors. The last direct member of this early dynasty at Déols was Raoul VI, who died in 1176 while returning from a crusade in the Holy Land. In the aftermath of his death, the region became one of the territories contested between the Angevins under Henry II and the French king Philip II.

EUDES l'Ancien (Odo the old) 1012-1044 AR Denier (1.11 g, 20mm, 3).
	Mint: Déols. Struck: Uncertain. Obv: + ODO + DVX Cross pattée; pellets hanging from crossbar. Rev: + DOLEO CIVE:Ƨ Degraded Karolus monogram. Ref: Legros 1319; Poey d' Avant 1925 var. (rev. legend); cf. Duplessy, Féodales 666A; Boudeau -; Roberts 4072.

RAOUL VI 1160-1176 AR Denier (0.68 g, 18mm, 3).
	Mint: Déols. Struck: Uncertain. Obv: + RADVLFVS Cross pattée. Rev: + DEDOLIƧ Pentalpha; annulet in center. Ref: Legros 1352 var. (S not sideways); Poey d' Avant 1949 var. (same); cf. Duplessy, Féodales 679 var. (same); Boudeau 277 var. (same); cf. Roberts 4411.