Rights Holder: West Yorkshire Archaeology Advisory Service
CC License:
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Unique ID: SWYOR-4A0936
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
A copper alloy medieval harness pendant dating from 1200 - 1405 AD. The pendant is shield shaped and has a blue enamel background covered with fleur de lis. The silvering or gilding of the fleurs is missing, but they were probably gilded, making this the Arms of France Ancient (Azure semy-de-lis or). DUR-A54350 notes Irene Szymanski's comment that: "France Ancient remained the French arms until the late 14th century when, in accordance with an edict of Charles V in 1376, the number of fleurs-de-lys was reduced to three. In fact, as coins show, the edict took some time to take effect, and it was not until the early 15th century, circa 1405, that the English Royal arms, which had incorporated the French arms since 1340, also reduced the number of fleurs-de-lys to three."
The blue enamel is missing from half of the pendant, but a small trace at the top suggests that it did continue over the whole pendant. The metal is now a bright green colour. The suspension loop at the top is at 90 degrees to the plane of the pendant but is broken.
Compare NMS-004937 and DUR-A54350.
Notes:
Arms: France impaling ? or France.
Class: heraldic
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1200
Date to: Circa AD 1405
Quantity: 1
Length: 34.12 mm
Width: 21.88 mm
Thickness: 5.9 mm
Weight: 6.93 g
Date(s) of discovery: Wednesday 15th February 2012 - Thursday 1st March 2012
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Other reference: PAS form number 1824
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Incomplete
Surface Treatment: Inlaid with enamel
4 Figure: SE5839
Four figure Latitude: 53.844014
Four figure longitude: -1.119964
1:25K map: SE5839
1:10K map: SE53NE
Grid reference source: Centred on field
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
No references cited so far.