In 1138, when civil war broke out, Farthegn was one of only eight moneyers that was bold enough to advertise his allegiance to the rebel cause. He stamped his name on the reverse side of his coins (spelled FARDEN). But on the obverse side he declared the Empress Matilda as Queen by engraving the words MATILDI(S) IMP (ER), an act that warranted the death penalty. Matilda traveled to Bristol to set up her command and the city became Angevin headquarters. In 1142, King Stephen was captured and actually imprisoned there at Bristol. But Matilda blew it. She was such an obnoxious bitch that she alienated all but the most loyal of her supporters. The war finally ended in 1153 when Stephen acknowledged Matilda's son, Henry II, as his successor.
So, ultimately, Farthegn had backed the right horse, for Henry II was the first of a long line of Angevin kings that would rule England for the next 300 years. By risking his life Farthegn had ensured that all of his sons (he had at least four of them) and many of their descendants would remain in Angevin favor for a long time to come.
The obverse side of Farthegn's Empress Matilda coins had a bust facing right, crowned and diademed, holding a sceptre in the right hand. The reverse side had a cross moline with a fleur in each angle. An image is available in J. J. North's book English Hammered Coinage.
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