STRAP END

An incomplete one-piece strap-end, with remains of a split attachment-end comprising the stumps of two broken rectangular projections springing from a hollow-cast globular terminal with small oval perforation (casting fault) towards base. It measures 13 x >19mm. Similar objects with solid terminals have been recorded from Brampton, Burgh Castle, Old Catton, Stow Bardolph and Burgh and Tuttington. A rather more elongated example was found in Barton Bendish. Neither Thomas (2003) nor Hinton (1996) includes any comparable objects. However, the integral split for the strap suggests a late Roman or Middle/Late Saxon date, and the most likely period of manufacture and use is in the 8th and 9th centuries. A number of broadly similar objects have been recorded by the PAS, and given a variety of date ranges: Isleham, Suffolk (SF-7003F7) AD 1400-1540); Freckenham, Suffolk (SF9057) undated; Folkingham, Lincolnshire (LIN-019967) AD 1066-1499; Lenton Keisby and Osgody, Lincs (LIN-153C04) AD 1250-1499; Keelby, Lincs (LIN-3606A4) AD 43-1499; South Ormsby cum Ketsby, Lincs (LIN-CD28E6) AD 43-1500; Little Steeping, Lincs (LIN-019967) AD 1300-1400; Styrrup with Oldcotes, Nottinghamshire (SWYOR-1D5F98) AD 43-1800; Doncaster, Yorkshire (LVPL-560210) AD 1100-1300; Stonegrave, Yorkshire (YORYM-453EA1) AD 1200-1500). A strap-end from Upton Scudamore, Wiltshire, that resembles the above but terminates in a Romanesque animal head, was dated to the second half of the 11th or the 12th cent. (WILT-8F33A4). The bulbous element of all of these is solid, in contrast to hollow-headed examples from Congham and Thetford, Norfolk (Rogerson and Dallas EAA 22, fig. 112 no. 52).