Record ID: ESS-EB49D6
Object type: HOOKED TAG
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Essex
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete silver disc-shaped artefact, probably from the plate of an early medieval hooked tag. The upper surface of the disc is decorated with a cross motif that divides the field into four segments. Each segment contains a contorting Trewhiddle style four-legged animal with drilled eye and backwards-turned heads. The arms of the cross are hatched to create a ladder-like effect, and there is a pierced hole in the centre of the disc, probably for a missing rivet. The underside is plain but shows evidence of solder or adhesive around the edge, which may indicate that the disc was o…
Created on: Tuesday 6th March 2018
Last updated: Tuesday 19th March 2024
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: ESS-EC597C
Object type: COIN HOARD
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Essex
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Two early medieval gold tremisses, probably dating to the early-mid seventh century. The first coin is Merovingian, and probably from Tidiriciacum (identified by Belfort as Trizay-sur-Lezay, and by Depeyrot as Thiré, both in the Vendée). The reverse inscription indicates a moneyer named Witta (VVITA) in whose name coins with this mint signature have been recorded.1 Although the obverse inscription is mostly illegible, the visible letters are consistent with a reading of TIDIRIACO, as the mint name appears on other known coins of VVITA. The second coin is an early Anglo-Sa…
Created on: Thursday 22nd February 2018
Last updated: Friday 15th December 2023
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: ESS-1CFF0B
Object type: COIN HOARD
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Essex
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A scattered hoard of 145 Early Medieval silver coins, dating from the reigns of Edward the Confessor (1042-1066) and Harold II (1066). Most of the coins are pennies, although there are a few cut half pennies of both rulers as well as some fragments. A range of English mints are represented, principally those relatively close to the find spot, such as Colchester, Ipswich and Sudbury as well as the large mint at London, as well as more distant mints including Cambridge, Norwich and York. In addition, the hoard also includes two Byzantine silver coins issued by the emperors Basil II (976-…
Created on: Monday 30th September 2019
Last updated: Wednesday 6th December 2023
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Braintree Area', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: ESS-BDCE3C
Object type: HOOKED TAG
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Essex
Workflow stage: Published
Description:   An early-medieval (c.AD 700-1100), incomplete, silver, sharp-hooked clasp with two attachment holes which is made of very thin sheet. The front face has engraved decoration of cross-hatching forming a border to all three edges. The rear face is undecorated. The plate tapers into a hook which is broken shortly after it curves backwards. There is a crack visible close to the lower point of the plate.  Dimensions:  Length: 17mm; width: 10mm; weight: 0.39g.  Discussion:  This type of clothes fastener has been categorised by Read as his Clas…
Created on: Tuesday 18th February 2020
Last updated: Tuesday 21st November 2023
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'High Roding', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: ESS-DBD563
Object type: SCABBARD
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Wiltshire
Workflow stage: Published
Description: A near complete gilded silver pyramidal mount, probably from a sword scabbard, dating to the Early Medieval period (late sixth-seventh century). The mount is hollow and pyramid shaped with a square base and four triangular sides. An integral rectangular bar runs transversely across the base. The apex is flat with an empty cell, which probably held a decorative setting, now missing. Each face is decorated with the same motif in shallow relief: a triple-stranded looping triskele with an anti-clockwise twist at each corner, forming a loop. Traces of gilding are reta…
Created on: Wednesday 7th October 2020
Last updated: Wednesday 15th November 2023
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Allington', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: ESS-EE2B99
Object type: COIN
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Essex
Workflow stage: Published
Description: Fragmented silver penny of Cnut (1016 – 1035), short cross type, issued c. 1030 – 1035). North vol. 790-793.  Obverse: Partial – diademed bust left. CNVT  Reverse: partial – short cross within border. […]NE ON CO[…]  Dimensions: w: 0.4g, d: 16.1mm, t: 0.6mm  Discussion: The coin was minted at Colchester, which was the local mint for the findspot. The surviving part of the moneyer’s name suggests a moneyer’s name ending in -wine. There are three possible matches from Cnut’s reign minting at C…
Created on: Thursday 24th August 2017
Last updated: Friday 10th November 2023
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: ESS-1783F2
Object type: FINGER RING
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Essex
Workflow stage: Published
Description:  A complete gold finger-ring, comprising a hoop of hexagonal cross-section that widens into a lozenge-shaped bezel. The bezel is decorated with a symmetrical filigree design consisting of two U-shaped scrolls either side of a small, dark cabochon setting of unidentified material. Above and below the setting is an S-shaped filigree scroll. Individual gold granules are interspersed throughout the main design. The ring is slightly squashed. Dimensions:  Diameter: 26mm, Height (of bezel): 2.8 mm, Thickness (of band): 1.8 mm, Weight: 4.13 g. Disc…
Created on: Thursday 24th October 2019
Last updated: Monday 30th October 2023
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: ESS-6C5E03
Object type: UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Workflow stage: Published
Solid gold cylindrical fragment which is partly flattened on one side (unclear if intentional or due to damage). The surface has some abrasions and light scratching. It appears to have been cut at both ends; possibly a piece of hack gold dating from the Early Medieval period. Dimensions: Weight: 3.6g, Length: 13.8mm, Thickness: 4.8mm. Discussion: It is likely to be over 300 years old. This suggestion is made due to the colour and apparent quality of the gold, as well as the lack of machine made marks, and comparisons to similar artefacts like SWYOR-C74077, DENO-68B0E8
Created on: Thursday 23rd November 2017
Last updated: Tuesday 29th August 2023
No spatial data available.

Record ID: ESS-B5CC35
Object type: SWORD
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Essex
Workflow stage: Published
Description: A cast silver sword pommel cap dating to the early medieval period. It is pyramidal in form with a flat top, hollow underneath and stepped at both ends. One end has two complete attachment loops, one with a silver rivet in situ. The attachment loops on the opposite end have broken off. The patina is grey in colour and retains much of the shine from the silver on the upper face. There is some copper-alloy corrosion on the upper surface near to the loop with the rivet in situ. The inner surface is darker and red in places, which could suggest that the item had an iron core o…
Created on: Tuesday 2nd July 2019
Last updated: Thursday 3rd August 2023
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Margaret Roding', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: ESS-9FFB18
Object type: COIN HOARD
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Essex
Workflow stage: Published
Description: Early Medieval coin hoard of 5 sceattas No. Description Dimensions 1 Sceat of Series D (BMC Type 2c), obverse illegible; reverse with cross pattée with pellets in angles, cross pattée above, annulet below, letters around + II [ ] OIVV. Diameter 12.0mm, weight 1.09g 2 Sceat of Series E, variety G1, obverse with quilled object, coiled right, triangular head without pellet eye, rectangular box enclosing an X and a bar in front, other pellets in field; reverse …
Created on: Wednesday 16th December 2020
Last updated: Thursday 3rd August 2023
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Beaumont', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: ESS-9DEEF4
Object type: INGOT
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Essex
Workflow stage: Published
Description:  A complete silver ingot of likely early-medieval date, rectangular in shape with squared ends.  The surfaces appear to have been hammered flat and there are some nicks on the edges, possibly ancient testing marks.  Surface metal analysis would be necessary to determine the exact metal content, but the appearance is consistent with a substantial silver content, and is typical of silver objects of early medieval date. Dimensions:  Length: 28.64mm; Width: 6.12mm; Thickness: 4.10mm; Weight: 4.54g Discussion:  The general form is typical of ingots of…
Created on: Wednesday 16th December 2020
Last updated: Thursday 3rd August 2023
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Leaden Roding', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: ESS-2A065A
Object type: STUD
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Essex
Workflow stage: Published
Description: A gold setting, possibly from a pendant or finger-ring, containing a glass intaglio. The setting comprises a plain collar, now badly cracked, and a series of plain and beaded lines. Moving outwards from the collar the following sequence is seen; plain, beaded, beaded, plain, beaded, beaded. The back-plate is of undecorated gold sheet. The intaglio is dark green in colour, almost circular and decorated with a pair of beasts, their heads facing each other and their bodies interlaced with this hips shown.  The object is badly damaged and the intaglio has almost com…
Created on: Monday 18th November 2019
Last updated: Thursday 20th July 2023
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: ESS-B5BB2B
Object type: DRESS HOOK
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Essex
Workflow stage: Published
A complete silver hooked tag of early-medieval date. The plate is engraved with a spiral in the centre, terminating in a pair of short radial lines at the bottom with further pairs of short radial lines at either side of the spiral joining the spiral to a border groove, overall forming a cruciform motif. A complete sharp hook extends from one edge of the tag. The reverse of the object is flat and undecorated with a visible fold creating a slight bend in the plate. The metal has a dark grey patina with the original silver colour visible on the very edge of the plate on one side. Dimen…
Created on: Tuesday 2nd July 2019
Last updated: Friday 14th April 2023
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: ESS-01BB64
Object type: PENDANT
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Description: An incomplete gold pendant dating to the early Anglo-Saxon period. It is rectangular in form, comprising a gold sheet back-plate to which has been soldered an outer border of four strands of gold wire, the outer strands beaded and the inner strands twisted alternately, creating a herringbone effect. Inside of this is a rectangular cell made from upright strips of gold sheet. The central setting is missing. The back of the pendant is plain. It is fairly crumpled. Discussion: Gold pendants like this one were typically used to decorate high-status necklaces in the seventh ce…
Created on: Thursday 30th November 2017
Last updated: Monday 10th April 2023
No spatial data available.

Record ID: ESS-01B025
Object type: BEAD
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Essex
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A biconical gold bead, made from coiled gold wire. Its surface shows signs of wear in places. The hole is packed with soil.
Created on: Thursday 30th November 2017
Last updated: Monday 10th April 2023
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'St. Lawrence', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: ESS-1B6166
Object type: HOARD
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Essex
Workflow stage: Published
Description: Early Medieval coin hoard of 11 sceattas No. Finder Description Dimensions 1 Paul Hill Sceat of Series B1A variety (BMC Type 27b), obverse with diademed bust right, in serpent circle clockwise, partial blundered legend in margin; reverse with bird on cross pattée, berries before, annulets on limbs of cross, beaded serpent circle anticlockwise, partial blundered legend in margin. Heavily worn. Diameter 11.5mm, thickness 2.3mm, weight 1.29g 2 Pa…
Created on: Thursday 25th October 2018
Last updated: Tuesday 4th April 2023
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Beaumont-cum-Moze', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: ESS-02B9B3
Object type: FINGER RING
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Essex
Workflow stage: Published
A complete gold finger ring, dating to the Early Medieval period. The band is made from sheet gold which expands to form a lozenge-shaped bezel. In the centre of the bezel is a setting containing a very dark glass oval cabochon, which is slightly chipped. The setting itself comprises an upright strip of gold sheet, surrounded by a single strand of gold beaded wire whose ends overlap. The cabochon is flanked by extensive granulation and filigree ornament, comprising single strands of beaded wire that weave between granules. Two parallel incised lines run around the back of the band. The…
Created on: Tuesday 29th January 2019
Last updated: Tuesday 28th March 2023
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Sutton', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: ESS-D9756E
Object type: INGOT
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Essex
Workflow stage: Published
Description:  An early medieval (Viking period) cut silver ingot, dating to c.AD 850-950. The ingot is a rectangular bar that is semi-circular in cross section with one side hammered so it is smooth.  The underside is slightly curved in plan.  The ends have been roughly cut.  The weight is 19.36g which equates to roughly three quarters of an assumed Scandinavian weight unit of 26.0 ± 2.0g (Graham-Campbell & Kruse 2011, 76).  Dimensions:  Length: 22.32mm; Width: 14.52mm; Thickness: 7.81mm; Weight: 19.36g Discussion:  Although ingots/ha…
Created on: Wednesday 7th October 2020
Last updated: Thursday 23rd February 2023
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Elmdon', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: ESS-C925F1
Object type: STUD
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Essex
Workflow stage: Published
Description: An incomplete early medieval gold boss, possibly from a sword scabbard. The boss is circular in plan and consists of a base-plate of gold sheet to which has been soldered a gold collar. The collar is made from a band of twisted, beaded wires running around the outside edge of the button, and an inner border comprising a single strand of beaded wire. Inside the collar is an upright gold strip forming an outer wall for the now missing setting. This wall curves slightly inwards towards the top but is now bent and distorted. The back of the boss is plain, with a strip of…
Created on: Thursday 26th September 2019
Last updated: Monday 27th June 2022
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Roffley Hall', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: ESS-B07604
Object type: FINGER RING
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Essex
Workflow stage: Published
Anglo-Scandinavian, (c. AD850-1100) gold ring, in a strip section, flattened and buckled. The inner surface is plain, but the outer surface has been punch-marked all the way round with a repeated pattern of double row of wedge-shaped marks pointing out to either edge. Dimensions: 19 x 5 x 0.5mm. Weight 1.96g. Analysis: Non-destructive X-ray fluorescence analysis of a gold ring from South Hanningfield, Essex, indicated a surface composition of approximately 88-90% gold, 10-12% silver, the rest being copper (Department of Scientific Research, British Museum, File No. 7656-40 2…
Created on: Tuesday 16th May 2017
Last updated: Wednesday 8th December 2021
Spatial data recorded.