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
Succession to the British throne made provision for a change in the line of succession had a child been born to William IV after his death, but this event did not come about. In 1936 Edward VIII abdicated 11 months after he succeeded to the throne immediately on his father's death. Edward was proclaimed King in January 1936, and opened (for the only time) Parliament in November 1936. Edward VIII had desired to marry Wallis Simpson, a divorcee, but the Church of England, of which the British Sovereign is Supreme Governor, would not authorize the marriage of divorcees. Consequently, Parliament passed His Majesty's Declaration of