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HARNESS PENDANT
Unique ID: IHS-6F7105
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
Notes:
This pendant is almost identical to one found in the Leavening area in 1998 (see Horsegear IHS-6F1E82 and 63b), except that in this case more of the gilding has been lost. The pendant bears a design of a central cross on a shield surrounded by an inscription in Latin, AVE MARIA GRACIA. Ave Maria, gracia [plena] (Hail Mary, full of [grace]); are the opening words of the prayer known in English as the Hail Mary. The central cross paty refers, in all likelihood, to the arms of the Knights Templar, who used argent, a cross paty gules as their arms. The Knights Templar were initially formed to defend the Holy Land; after a somewhat hesitant start the Order grew rapidly, and its Houses are found across Europe. Much of the Knights' success was due to their ability to act as international bankers; their wealth resided largely in the substantial amount of land bequeathed to them by devout individuals seeking to ameliorate the fate of their souls. By no means all Knights Templar resided in the Holy Land; in common with all large organizations, the Knights had 'employees' wherever their property lay. One of the largest Templar preceptories in the area was at Faxfleet, near Hull, but smaller Houses are found throughout Yorkshire, e.g., Snainton near Malton, and a significant number of villages, including Escrick, have Templar tombs in their churches. The Order was dissolved in 1314.
Inscription:
AVE MARIA GRACIA (Hail Mary [full of] grace)
Subsequent actions
Current location of find: Returned to finder
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: AD 1200
Date to: AD 1314
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 26 mm
Diameter: 21 mm
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: Horsegear 63a
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Secondary material: Enamel
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Incomplete
Surface Treatment: Gilded
Spatial metadata
Region: Yorkshire and the Humber (European Region)County or Unitary authority: North Yorkshire (County)
District: Selby (District)
Parish or ward: Escrick (Civil Parish)
References cited
No references cited so far.
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