Medieval artefacts

Medieval spur buckle

admin — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 08:06:42 GMT

Medieval spur buckle

Object Type:	spur BUCKLE
	Cast copper alloy Medieval spur buckle (1250-1500) with an integral plate and missing pin. The frame is small and sub-rectangular with a sub-circular knop at the terminal and vestiges of pin rest. There would have been a small aperture for the attachment end of the pin in the plate. However the bar of the aperture has corroded away so all that remains is a notch in the plate. The other end of the plate ends in a loop. The plate itself is narrow and undecorated. The buckle is of stout construction and would have been worn on a spur. It has a mid brown patina with traces of mid green colouring. There is light green corrosion product especially concentrated around the terminals. Length 44.3mm, width of frame 18.31mm, thickness 5.95mm, weight 9.8g. See Whitehead 2003, Buckles, pages 32-35. The closest example would be no. 190 which has an oval frame, However Whitehead page 32 does state that rectangular shaped frames are known.

Dates

MEDIEVAL (Certain), Circa 1250 AD - 1500 AD

Medieval key

admin — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 08:05:18 GMT

Medieval key

Huge medieval key 76.34mm

Medieval lead personal seal matrix

admin — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 08:54:52 GMT

Medieval lead personal seal matrix

13thC personal lead seal matrix

Medieval pendant hanger

admin — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:29:49 GMT

Medieval pendant hanger

Medieval Knights badge

admin — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:25:06 GMT

Medieval Knights badge

Medieval badges Ref Mitchiner p244 939 - 941

'A badge for a Knight of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre in bronze and dating somewhere around C13/14th possibly very slightly later . This is a very scarce item and it relates to The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem being a Catholic chivalric order of Knighthood that traces its roots to Godfrey of Bouillon, principal leader of the First Crusade. According to reliable sources in the Vatican and Jerusalem, it began in historical reality as a mixed clerical and lay confraternity (association) of pilgrims which gradually grew around the most central of the Christian holy places in the Middle East, the Holy Sepulchre or the tomb of Jesus Christ.This would have been a pin for a member of the order , there is a mark on the reverse where the original pin would have been fixed '

Medieval gold ring

admin — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 11:17:20 GMT

Medieval gold ring

Early medieval gold ring 15.26mm dia, 2.08g- folded gold construction - reported to Colchester museum as treasure

Medieval shield pendant

admin — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 11:42:10 GMT

Medieval shield pendant

1243 AD Medieval harness shield pendant of De Clare

'Found more on De Clare-- seems there was a Gilbert "The Red" (red haired) de Clare & son of Richard-- was one of the Earls of Gloucstershire (7th , I think) and had a whole bunch of other lands in 20 counties in Eng and Ireland. Joined the Montfort rebellion against the king. Married a jaon (Johanna) daughter of Edward II Longshanks , she was born in Acre - the site in the holy land where the Crusaders / Templar's lost it all . He was born in 1243'.

Medieval gold ring

admin — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 14:20:37 GMT

Medieval gold ring

Medieval gold ring - full inscription inside and out - reported to Colchester museum as treasure

inner - PEULET Z (FRENCH NAME )

Outer - SF UNY

17.18mm, 4.17g

Medieval hat badge

admin — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 08:35:19 GMT

Medieval hat badge

Medieval silver Fleur De Lis hat badge - reported as treasure to museum

Medieval figurine

admin — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 08:33:58 GMT

Medieval figurine

Medieval figurine mount 32.86mm H , 10.30g

Medieval gold ring

admin — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 21:59:45 GMT

Medieval gold ring

Medieval gold ring with sapphire - 24.12mm dia, 11.42g - report to Colchester museum as treasure

Medieval gold ring

admin — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 21:44:30 GMT

Medieval gold ring

c14thC Medieval nuns gold ring 1.31g,20.40mm dia

Medieval templer badge

admin — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 21:38:09 GMT

Medieval templer badge

Medieval badges Ref Mitchiner p244 939 - 941

Medieval buckle

admin — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:51:37 GMT

Medieval buckle

Medieval buckle with chape 34.73mm L

Medieval religious mount

admin — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 10:32:23 GMT

Medieval religious mount

Medieval enameled religious mount - IHS, initials for IESUS HRISTOS SALVATOR, Jesus savior of man - some red and blue enameling remains

Nail of christ's cross above the lettering

In the Latin-speaking Christianity of medieval Western Europe, the most common Christogram is "IHS" or "IHC", derived from the first three letters of the Greek name of Jesus, iota-eta-sigma. Here, the Greek letter eta was transliterated as the letter H in the Latin-speaking west (Greek eta and Latin-alphabet H had the same visual appearance and shared a common historical origin), while the Greek letter sigma was either transliterated as the Latin letter C (due to the visually similar form of the lunate sigma), or as Latin S (since these letters of the two alphabets wrote the same sound). Because the Latin-alphabet letters I and J were not systematically distinguished until the 17th century, "JHS" and "JHC" are equivalent to "IHS" and "IHC".

Medieval pilgrims ampullae

admin — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 07:51:49 GMT

Medieval pilgrims ampullae

East Anglian type with shell design

Pilgrim ampullae - holly water bottle made of lead 12th to 15thC,

These ampoule were brought from pilgrimage places as a souvenir

Mitchiner suggests that many ampullae were used in the annual springtime ’Blessing the Fields’ ceremony, in which the Holy Water they contained was sprinkled on the ground to give prayer for a good harvest. Having served this purpose, Mitchiner suggests that the ampullae were discarded. Others have suggested that the ampullae were buried along with their contents for a similar purpose.

Medieval lead seal

admin — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 07:49:06 GMT

Medieval lead seal

Stunning 13thC personal lead seal matrix with complete supsension loop - 32.33mm dia, 24.84g

Legend S'ICILN.RI.ARDIFIL.JRADVLU - Seal of Iciln

Medieval lead seal

admin — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 07:46:38 GMT

Medieval lead seal

13th C Non Heraldic lead personal seal

Medieval lead mount

admin — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 07:44:41 GMT

Medieval lead mount

Medieval trade weight

admin — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 07:43:03 GMT

Medieval trade weight

Stunning medieval lead prism standing weight

Medieval seal matrix

admin — Tue, 12 May 2009 08:37:36 GMT

Medieval seal matrix

13th C bronze Vessica seal matrix - 31.48mm H x 18.48mm wide - 8.45g

Script - NOLONIM ESDARI : U

Medieval strap guide

admin — Fri, 01 May 2009 15:06:15 GMT

Medieval strap guide

ESSEX, England: ESS-E724C7 Medieval strap fitting

EARLY MEDIEVAL to POST MEDIEVAL, Circa 1230 AD - Circa 1700 AD

Object Type:	Mount Strap Fitting
	Medieval to Post Medieval cast copper alloy mount. It has an integral suspension loop which is 18mm in diameter. The top has two rivet holes on each face. The upper rivet on one face contains traces of a copper alloy rivet. Part of one side knop is missing. The object is 33mm long and 4.38g in weight. The surface is mid green in colour with much light green corrosion. This could be a loop end for a strap guide, a bar mount, a belt mount or sword belt hanger. See Read nos. 17 and 369.

Medieval stap distributer

admin — Fri, 01 May 2009 15:03:49 GMT

Medieval stap distributer

Dates

MEDIEVAL (Probably), Circa 1200 AD - Circa 1500 AD

Object Type:	Mount Strap Fitting
	An incomplete Medieval cast copper alloy mount. It is quatrefoil, with worn breaks at the end of three arms, and an incomplete suspension loop at the end of the fourth arm. The reverse has a projection, possibly with traces of an iron rivet inside. The object is 26mm long, 22mm wide and 3.44g in weight. The surface is mid 'olive' green in colour and is pitted. There are patches of light green corrosion. This is probably a loop end for a strap guide

C10th C Saxon harness strap distributer

Medieval mount

admin — Fri, 01 May 2009 15:01:32 GMT

Medieval mount

Medieval mount with 2 integral lugs

Medieval book clasp

admin — Fri, 01 May 2009 15:00:13 GMT

Medieval book clasp

Medieval decorated book clasp

Medieval lead ampulla

admin — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 07:26:31 GMT

Medieval lead ampulla

This is a very rare find - Miniature lead Ampulla which measures under an inch in length - 5.20g, 24.08mm L x 13.33mm W

Generally pilgrim ampulla date from the AD 1250 to 1400's but his type is not in Mitchener's Ref book. I have a feeling this is very early medieval perhaps even Edward the Confessor period - one for the museum

Pilgrim ampullae - holly water bottle made of lead 12th to 15thC,

These ampoule were brought from pilgrimage places as a souvenir

Having served this purpose, Mitchiner suggests that the ampullae were discarded. Others have suggested that the ampullae were buried along with their contents for a similar purpose.

Medieval book clasp

admin — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:25:46 GMT

Medieval book clasp

Stunning medieval decorated book clasp parts - includes one rivet in situ

Medieval papel badge

admin — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:10:06 GMT

Medieval papel badge

Medieval lead papel badge

Medieval seal matrix

admin — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 21:39:01 GMT

Medieval seal matrix

Stunning Circa 13thC 'bust of christ' medieval seal matrix -

MARTT NUE :PEVOSM

Medieval annular buckle

admin — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 18:33:04 GMT

Medieval annular buckle

Medieval silver figurine

admin — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 18:25:15 GMT

Medieval silver figurine

Medieval gilded silver jester mount - reported to the museum as treasure

17.11mm H x 9.12mm W, 1.80g

Medieval lead head mount

admin — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 17:59:52 GMT

Medieval lead head mount

C14thC Medieval lead knights head mount

Medieval French Jetton

admin — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 06:44:27 GMT

Medieval French Jetton

1488 'Four fleur de lis in a lozenge' type French jetton

Nicolas de Russage dies at Paris mint

Obv Four fleur de lis in a lozenge: trefoils outside the lozenge:

+VIVE.LE ROI.VIVE.LE ROI

Rev Cross pattery feuilly with flowered in eacg angle

Mitchiner Ref 599b

Medieval seal matrix

admin — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 06:19:23 GMT

Medieval seal matrix

13thC Medieval bronze seal matrix - sacrifical lamb impression

Legend CVNVL*CEL *

Medieval seal matrix

admin — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 07:38:57 GMT

Medieval seal matrix

Early medieval seal matrix with man standing arms outstretched - this type in not in the ref books but is of Saxon style - probably early 10th/11th C - one for the museum

Medieval Knight's badge

admin — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 09:43:55 GMT

Medieval Knight's badge

Medieval badges Ref Mitchiner p244 939 - 941

Medieval beehive thimble

admin — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 09:42:34 GMT

Medieval beehive thimble

Medieval bronze beehive thimble

Medieval bronze ring

admin — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 09:41:30 GMT

Medieval bronze ring

Medieval finger ring with lombardic lettering, star and cross hatched design -20.99mm O/Dia , 215g

Medieval gold posey ring

admin — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 20:41:13 GMT

Medieval gold posey ring

Circa 13th C Medieval gold posey ring with full Lombardic inscription and with the flower possibly representing the wound of Christ- working on the legend to dechiper it - Reported as treasure to Colchester museum 22.38mm O/dia x 1.64mm T , 2.77g

Legend reads : * CN IIS LK VUI CK LOOIJ

Medieval Boy Bishop token

admin — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 19:09:57 GMT

Medieval Boy Bishop token

Medieval Boy Bishop lead token

Obv Long cross and pellet

Rev Bishop mitre

During the Middle Ages, as part of the Christmas celebrations, churches and abbeys used to elect a choirboy as Boy Bishop.
He would hold office from St Nicholas' Day, on December 6, to Childermas or Holy Innocents' Day, on December 28, when he preached a sermon and then resigned.

During this period the choirboy was treated exactly as a real bishop would have been. He wore the bishop's robes, preached sermons and headed a procession in his honour but was not allowed to celebrate Mass.
The custom honoured St Nicholas, the patron saint of children, who lived during the 4th century at Lycia in what is now Turkey, where he was Archbishop. He had inherited a great fortune and gave much of it away, anonymously, particularly to children. St Nicholas also gave rise to the legend from which the notion of Father Christmas was born.In some European towns and cities, the Boy Bishop gave away lead tokens.In Britain this practice was confined mainly to East Anglia. Bury St Edmunds was the main centre but tokens from Sudbury, Ipswich and Ely are also in existence. The Boy Bishop ceremony was in existence in Bury by 1418 but the earliest tokens date from about 1480.
They were probably exchanged for sweetmeats or alms at the Abbey almonry or by charitable local tradesmen and merchants. Tokens sometimes turn up on old footpaths and on Medieval market sites, which suggests that they were also used as small change.
The design of Bury's Boy Bishop tokens was based on the regular coinage. They were made of lead alloy and came in three sizes – penny, half groat (2d), and groat (4d). The half groat is the least common. The neatest pieces are probably the earliest. The obverse (heads) usually shows a mitre or the head of St Nicholas and carries a legend asking for his prayers. The reverse (tails) is often marked with the legend Ave Rex Gentis, which refers to an anthem sung to St Edmund in Bury Abbey – Ave Rex Gentis (Anglorum] or 'behold King of the (English (or Anglian)] people'.

In later tokens the legend has usually been reduced to a series of strokes or curved lines, while the mitre is often poorly executed.
By the middle of the 16th century, there was religious turmoil throughout England. The monasteries were closed by Henry VIII between 1535 and 1539 and Catholic ceremonies fell out of favour.
The Boy Bishop ceremony may have survived for a few years into the reign of Queen Mary (1553-58), as it is known that the Catholic queen was fond of it, but by the time of her successor, the Protestant Elizabeth I, it had become just a memory.
Moyse's Hall Museum, on Honey Hill, in Bury St Edmunds, holds several Boy Bishop tokens and a mould.