History of the English penny (1154–1485) the continental price of silver, thus putting an end to the illegal export of English coinage. The heavy coinage was minted at London and York, inscribed – "Henry by the Grace of God King of England", while the light coinage was minted at London, York, and Durham, inscribed . Henry V (1413–1422) continued his father's light coinage, with similar inscriptions on the coins produced at London, Durham, and York. Henry VI (1422–1461, 1470–1471) came to the throne as an infant. He favoured making peace with France, but his heir, Richard, Duke of York, a descendant of the second son of
Catalan Civil War his new lieutenant. In 1471 the French troops fighting with the Catalans retired to France and the advantage shifted decidedly to John II. Joan Margarit, the Bishop of Girona, returned his city to John (October 1471), followed by other towns. Duke John of Lorraine died at Barcelona on 16 December 1470 and the Catalans lost their most important ally. King René lived until 1480, but was not personally present in Catalonia. King John II campaigned in the Alt Empordà until June 1472 and then against Barcelona. A naval and land siege lasted from November 1471 to 16 October 1472. By