SWORD

An incomplete copper alloy sword pommel of Early Medieval dating (probably 10th to 11th Centuries AD).

The pommel is of lobed form, with a central lobe which contains a circular shaped aperture through which the tang of the handle would pass. This central lobe is flanked by two lobes, decreasing in size.The outer lobes curve up at the end towards the knop. The pommel is open at the base, and the aperture is lozenge shaped. A sub circular hole is present just below the aperture for the tang at the top of the pommel.

It measures 20.6 mm in length, 65.1 mm wide and 21.3 mm thick. It weighs 32.8 g.

The pommel is a mid brown colour, with an even surface patina. Abrasion, caused by movement whilst within the plough soil, has resulted in a loss of some of the original surface detail.

Several similar pommels have been recorded on the PAS database, including: WMID-D8C563; SF-D241B4; WMID-B14534 and WMID-3BFE61. This example appears to belong to Petersen's (1919) L type pommels, a fusion of Anglo-Saxon and Anglo-Scandinavian fashions, it dates from the 10th or 11th century. Similar pommels have been found at Ely, Cambs, and Tostock, Suffolk.

It is worn and only parts of the original surface remain, the rest having deteriorated through corrosion. The pommel is in good condition though it does suffer some wear. The original surface of the metal has a smooth deep green patina, brown in places, whilst the corroded parts are a rougher paler green. There is slight damage on one side at the base and also slight nicks from the circular tang aperture. The pommel measures 32.1 mm high, 51.38 mm long, 14.45 mm thick and weighs 38.2 grams.