| 词汇 | franc |
| 词源 | franc. This French unit of currency honors “John the Good” (1319–64), King John II of France. Captured by the British after the battle of Poitiers, John was freed in 1360 so that he could return to France and raise a ransom of 3 million gold crowns. He failed to do this, but in trying he ordered a new gold coin struck that was equivalent in value to the livre. John was pic- tured on horseback upon the coin’s face, the Latin legend be- neath his effigy reading, Johannes Dei gracia Francorum rex, “John, by the grace of God King of the Franks.” It is from this coin, and a similar one honoring his successor Charles V, that the word franc derived. John, though he debased the currency, proved to be a man of honor. He returned to England when one of the hostages held for him escaped. |
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