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Description: | A complete enamelled copper alloy harness fitting of Medieval dating, probably 14th century.The object is a flat sub-rectangular banner from an elaborate set. Along one long edge is an integral hollow cylindrical shaft, allowing it to be pushed over an a vertical rod. The banner is decorated on both faces with three fleur-de-lys on a red enamel background (see below for some speculation on the form of these fleurs-de-lys).The banner measures 35.37 mm in length, 25.58 mm wide and 6.49 mm thick. The internal diameter of the cylindrial shaft is 4.44 mm. It weighs 15.6 g. The metal is now mostly a mid brown colour and the red enamel has flaked off in places.Similar banners, although with different heraldic devices, are illustrated by Ashley (2002, 25, fig 24, figs 238-240). He explains that this banner would originally have been attached to a rod projecting vertically from the centre of a mount with two rectangular openings, probably for leather straps to pass through. Recorded examples of rotating banners on the PAS database include BH-F099C6, KENT-D7CCF3, NMS-9F6934 and SF-D8EDA2, the latter two of which were examined by Steven Ashley and dated to the 14th century. Griffiths (1986: 4. no. 23) illustrates how such banners would have functioned, in conjunction with a swivelling strap fitting.The heraldry depicted is similar to that of William III de Cantilupe (or Cauntelo or Cantelowe), lord of Abergavenny. His arms consisted of three fleur de lys on a red background. William III de Cantilupe is known to have had his chief residences at Calne, Wiltshire and Aston Cantlow, Warwickshire. The Cantilupe arms developed in some lines to three leopard heads jessant-de-lys (a fleur de lys issuing from another object) and it seems possible, despite the incomplete enamel on this pendant, that the bosses from which the leopards' heads developed are visible here.William's brother Thomas become Bishop of Hereford, and the Cantilupe arms became the Bishop's arms, so it is possible this harness fitting represents the Bishop of Hereford.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
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