Finds Through The Ages – The Medieval Period

This period covers the time from the Norman Invasion in AD1066 to the beginning of the 16^th century. There is no agreed upon date for the end of the Medieval period. AD1500 is generally considered to be the end. Across Europe different events are used such as the conquest of Constantinople by the Turks in 1453 and Christopher Columbus’s first voyage to the Americas in 1492

In England the Protestant Reformation in 1517 is sometimes used as well as the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485 and the dissolution of the monasteries in AD1536. As you can see, these dates generally fall around the turn of the 16^th century.

For Berkshire, there are 998 records (as of 18/11/2020) which is a fivefold increase on the Early-Medieval period.

As ever, coins are the most common finds from this period, making up 39% of the finds. Not surprising really as during this time coin use increased and in England there were 19 people who claimed the throne of England as well as coins from other countries coming across The Channel.

This coin recorded recently (BERK-8CCFE5) is gold quarter noble of Edward III. Although there are over 150 of these on the database, this one is interesting. Firstly, it is a mule, a coin where the obverse and reverse are not commonly found together. Secondly it has a spelling mistake in the reverse legend. Usually it would read. EXALTABITVR IN GLORIA (Exalted in Gloria) but this one reads EXALTABITVR IN GALhORI.

During the reign of The Plantagenet’s (AD1154 – 1272) Richard I (AD1189 – 1199) and King John (AD1199 – 1216) would often issue coinage, not with their name, but in the name of Henry II (AD1154 – 1189). There is not many examples of their coinage from Berkshire, but from the few there are they are particularly fine, including (SUR-10981B) and (SUR-CF0A45)

Although they look much like a coin, Jettons in the Medieval period were counters. The word Jetton comes from ‘jeter’, meaning ‘to throw’ in French, and relates to the ‘casting’ of accounts. The German term ‘rechenpfennig’, or ‘reckoning penny’, also refers to the use of jettons for accountancy purposes. They were produced primarily in England, France and the area which is now Germany as well as the Low Countries. Jettons had the name of the issuer on them. In Berkshire, the Jettons found are mostly English and French. This one (BERK-888F92) dating from c. AD 1418-1487 has a crown with 3 annulets across band on the obverse. The reverse depicts a triple stranded straight cross fleuretty within 4-arched tressure around 3 annulets and crown.

Buckles are another common type of Medieval object. During this period they go through many different stylistic and functional changes. There are multiple types of single and double loop buckle, mostly circular or square with different types of decoration. This single loop buckle (BUC-A7C7C6) is a T-shaped type is one of the more complex designs and can can be dated to the 13th or 14th century. It seems likely that these buckles had a specialist use, perhaps as pairs on animal leashes, probably for a dog. Decoration was often as important as function and this double loop buckle (BERK-3E8C35) dating to the late 15^th century is in the form of a rose.

The Medieval period also produces a new kind of object; a seal matrix. These consist of a handle often with a loop or knop on the terminal and a flat bottom which has the reversed image of a seal. These seals take on all kinds of motifs and can be personal. However, more often than not these are off-the-shelf objects bought by people who could not afford their own personal seal, such as (BERK-D0D06C) which depicts the head of St John the Baptist in a bowl or platter.

Personal adornment is continually important in the Medieval period. Brooches came in many shapes and sizes, but these were not all purpose made. This silver penny (BERK-BA4C81) was gilded and a loop attached to the back to turn it into a brooch.

Finger rings were also popular across society. Many could be simple bands for those who couldn’t afford something more elaborate. This gold finger ring (LON-C8CE96) must have been quite expensive and special to the owner. It depicts St Catherine holding a wheel and sword, and the raised tapering shoulders are engraved with cross-hatching. It was during the Medieval period that the cult of St. Catherine appeared after the alleged rediscovery of her body around the year AD800 at Mount Sinai, supposedly with hair still growing and a constant stream of healing oil issuing from her body.

This Medieval silver pendant (BERK-EF232D) dates to the 13^th – 14^th centuries. The letters are an abbreviation of the Hebrew saying; “Ata gibor le’olam Adonai” (You are mighty forever, O Lord). As you might have noticed, the words should be abbreviated AGLA rather than AGAL as they are on this pendant. This misspelling is not uncommon and occurs on many of these pendants. AGLA was a popular charm used in the Middle Ages to fend off fever and possibly also the Black Death.

It wasn’t only people who were adorned but also their horses. This harness pendant (BERK-031CD5) decorated with an enamelled white lion standing left with one front paw raised might have been a heraldic symbol for the rider.

During the Medieval period it became more important to know the weight of coins due to their precious metal content and to know whether they were genuine. One of the most common is the half-noble coin weight (BERK-6F52E4). In the 15^th century, this weighed 54 grains (3.5g). This example is just under that weight at 47.8 grains (3.1g) and has probably lost some mass.

With an influx of Continental coinage it was also important to know the coins coming into the country were genuine. This Portuguese coin weight (SUR-570382) possibly rrepresents a half Moidore.

Finally is Berkshire’s only pilgrim badge. This example (BERK-29EB55) depicts a robed figure caarying a lamb, or possibly a child in one arm. This figure appears to be sitting or kneeling, possibly on a boat. Pilgrim badges were bought as souvenirs, proofs of pilgrimages and to evoke (the protection of) saints, medieval pilgrims purchased metal badges at shrine sites which were then worn, typically on hats.

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Finds Through The Ages – The Medieval Period

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