STRAP END

A fragment of a copper-alloy strap end of Medieval date, c. AD 1150 - 1450. The object is one plate from a composite strap end. The main body of the strap end is rectangular in plan with a diagonal break. The attachment end is no longer present. The other end is shaped into a basic trefoil characterised by a large central sub-triangular trefoil leaf. The central leaf is perforated by a rivet, part of which remains and still holds a fragment of a second copper-alloy sheet onto the underside of the plate. This leaf is flanked by shorter rounded trefoil leaves, each of which is also perforated by a rivet hole with no remaining traces of their rivets. The base of the trefoil shape flares out into a collar before narrowing into a neck which attaches to the wider body of the strap end. Both sides are plain. There is a slight bend in the centre of the plate, creating a slight S shape.

The metal is green in colour. The strap end is 20.5mm in length, 9.5mm in width, 2.0mm in thickness, and weighs 0.6g.

Similar strap ends are illustrated in Egan and Pritchard, p.142, fig.93, and p.144, fig.94.

Similar strap ends have been recorded on the database as NLM-86928D, HESH-6F126A, SOM-5AE4D4.

Ref: Egan, G. and Pritchard, F. (1991). Dress Accessories, c.1150-c.1450 (Medieval Finds from Excavations in London). London: Stationery Office Books.