In early June 1452, Joan Martyn put forward a petition to Henry VI, appealing for compensation. She alleged that, during the king’s visit to her hometown of Canterbury the previous summer, his guard Nicholas ap Rhys went to cut off the hand of her husband, Thomas, with a sword. Joan reached out to protect him, and ap Rhys, mid-swing, brought the blade down on Joan’s wrist by mistake. Joan successfully received compensation from Henry; a life grant of 2d per day fulfilled by the mayor, bailiffs and farmers of the city. 2d was not a great deal of money, even in 1452. The National Archive’s Currency Calculator gives the amount’s modern estimated worth at around £5.20. For some context, Henry paid his minstrels ten marks a year - which works out at an equivalent worth of around £11 per day in today’s money.
Joan Martyn and Forgotten Womens' Histories
Joan Martyn and Forgotten Womens' Histories
Joan Martyn and Forgotten Womens' Histories
In early June 1452, Joan Martyn put forward a petition to Henry VI, appealing for compensation. She alleged that, during the king’s visit to her hometown of Canterbury the previous summer, his guard Nicholas ap Rhys went to cut off the hand of her husband, Thomas, with a sword. Joan reached out to protect him, and ap Rhys, mid-swing, brought the blade down on Joan’s wrist by mistake. Joan successfully received compensation from Henry; a life grant of 2d per day fulfilled by the mayor, bailiffs and farmers of the city. 2d was not a great deal of money, even in 1452. The National Archive’s Currency Calculator gives the amount’s modern estimated worth at around £5.20. For some context, Henry paid his minstrels ten marks a year - which works out at an equivalent worth of around £11 per day in today’s money.