BUCKLE

Cast copper alloy single looped buckle with copper alloy plate of medieval date 1300 – 1450 AD. The buckle frame is sub-circular (oval D shape) in plan and sub-rectangular in cross section. The pin is missing but it is likely that it would have been formed from a sub-rectangular length of copper alloy. There is no pin rest present or constriction on the frame to enable the pin to lie flat. The plate is formed from a sheet of copper alloy, which tapers at both ends. It is sub-rectangular in both plan and cross section. The sheet has been attached to the buckle frame by folding the tapered end through the frame and riveting it to the leather strap. Both rivets are present and the remains of an organic (probably leather) material are contained within the plate. An oval shaped hole has been cut from the plate at its junction with the frame to hold the missing pin. At the opposite end of the tapering plate, at the very edge in either corner, are two further rivet holes, to aid attachment to the leather strap. Both these rivets are missing. The buckle frame measures 24.6mm length, 17.3mm width and is 1.4mm thick. The plate measures 44.6mm length, 16.6mm width, and is 1.2mm thick. The artefacts weighs 6.76 grams.

There is no decoration or applied surface present on any face of the buckle frame or plate. The buckle is a mid brown green colour with an uneven abraded patina which covers all surfaces. Movement in the ploughsoil has twisted the plate in profile, making it slightly irregular. This movement has also caused slight abrasion to some of the edges of both the buckle. A similar oval buckle frame with plate is illustrated in Egan and Pritchard ‘Dress Accessories’ pages 66-68, figure 262. The context from which the buckle is from has been dated to the period 1350-1400 by the ceramic assemblage. A larger date range is suggested here (1300-1450) due to the lack of context and regional variations in style.