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SPUR
Unique ID: ESS-026E51
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
Ellis, 1985 (The Medieval Horse and its Equipment London: HMSO page 124-130) explains that spurs with single pointed goads have been worn since the Roman period and continued into the early 14th century, where upon rowel spurs became the dominant form. The earlier spurs have straight sides and the curved side was introduced in the 12th century. In the medieval period the use of gilding on spurs was used to indicate a man’s status as a knight, but it is likely that the gilding of spurs began before the conventions and customs of dress and rank became the norm in the later medieval period. A parallel of a gilded medieval prick spur could not be found but this does not preclude the practise taking place and the example recorded here is certainly evidence to it. Similar prick spurs can be seen in Ellis, 2002, Prick spurs 700-1700, Finds Research Group Data Sheet 30, number 15 and the London Museum Medieval Catalogue, 1967, London: HMSO, figure 31, number 3. Following these examples and the curved form of the sides, the example recorded here is probably12th-14th century in date.
Class: prick
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1150
Date to: AD 1325
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Weight: 40.16 g
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: ID 3972
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Incomplete
Surface Treatment: Gilded
References cited
| Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| London Museum | 1940 | London Museum Medieval Catalogue | London | HMSO | figure 31 | 3 |
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Timeline of associated dates
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