Record ID: BH-8A69C3
Object type: MOUNT
Broad period: UNKNOWN
County: Hertfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A cast copper-alloy cruciform mount probably dating from the Early Medieval to the Post Medieval periods. The mount is in the form of a cross with a hemispherical central pellet and radiating from it four expanded arms. The pellet is surrounded by a circular groove and a ring of circular recessions. Each of the arms is decorated with a trapezoidal groove inlaid with patchy niello surrounded by a row of circular recessions. The reverse of the mount is flat and undecorated and there is a surviving part of a bent square-sectioned rivet. The patina on all the surfaces is mottled light and…
Created on: Monday 22nd March 2021
Last updated: Tuesday 4th May 2021
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: BH-14B54C
Object type: STRAP FITTING
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Hertfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A complete Post Medieval copper-alloy sword belt loop or strap slide dating c. AD 1500-1600. The fitting consists of a flat octofoil plate featuring a moulded interlaced rectilinear and curvilinear design around a central lozenge and central circular pellet. A circular knop surmounts the upper edge and from the back of this extends a bent arm that is rectangular in shape and in cross-section. The reverse of the plate is flat and undecorated. The surfaces have light-green patination with areas of light-brown around the edges. There are also the remains of black niello in the reces…
Created on: Monday 10th August 2020
Last updated: Friday 4th September 2020
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CAM-6A8FE8
Object type: STRAP END
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Hertfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An Early-Medieval copper-alloy strap-end with niello inlay decoration. This strap-end is a Thomas Class A, Type 1 and weighs 3.34g. The artefact has a length of 30.0mm and maximum width of 10.1mm. The en-facing animal head terminal is subtle and accounts for 9.2mm of the total length. The main decorative field has a straight transverse edge at the back of the animal head terminal zone. The edges, defined by a shallow narrow incised line, run approximately parallel to the slightly convex curved edges of the strap-end. The upper end, towards the split end, has a concave curve which l…
Created on: Tuesday 4th December 2018
Last updated: Monday 11th February 2019
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: BH-CD9A5E
Object type: FINGER RING
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Hertfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Description: A gold mourning finger ring dating to the late seventeenth century AD. The finger ring comprises a simple hemispherical-section band, which is now distorted. The outer surface of the band is plain, with the exception of a small, stylised skull motif. The inner surface of the finger ring is engraved with the inscription 'Sequimini M.3.Jan 69' in an italic script followed by a small motif of opposing 'F's. The inscription appears to be filled with a black substance, perhaps niello. The finger ring has an inner diameter of 19mm, with the band itself having a width of 4mm. …
Created on: Thursday 30th March 2017
Last updated: Tuesday 10th July 2018
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: BH-9412CA
Object type: STRAP END
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Hertfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete copper-alloy strap end with niello inlay dating to the mid eighth to mid tenth century AD (AD 750 - 950). The strap end is of Thomas' Class A, Type 1 with zoomorphic terminal and Trewhiddle style decoration. The strap end is a pointed oval in shape with a zoomorphic terminal at the closed end and two circular rivet holes filled with iron corrosion products at the open end. The zoomorphic terminal is in the form of a moulded forward facing animal head with pellet eyes, rounded ears and a stub-nosed snout. There is a lozenge of niello inlay on the head of the animal. The c…
Created on: Tuesday 20th December 2016
Last updated: Thursday 23rd March 2017
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: BH-56F085
Object type: STRAP END
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Hertfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A copper-alloy strap-end, dating from the Middle to Late Early-Medieval period. The strap-end is of flat section, bifurcating at the attachment end. This attachment, located at the top, comprises two plates (the upper slightly damaged) with a scalloped top side and two rivet holes below, separated from each other by the central strap slot. Iron corrosion surrounds the opposing rivet holes, with a pelta-shaped symbol incised below those on the upper surface of the strap-end. The outer sides of the body bow outwards slightly, before converging towards the basal terminal. The upper su…
Created on: Tuesday 14th January 2014
Last updated: Wednesday 19th March 2014
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Barley', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: BUC-A2AF04
Object type: PURSE
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Hertfordshire
Workflow stage: Published
A cast copper-alloy purse bar fragment of late medieval or early post-medieval date (Williams Class A1). The bar has broken off towards its junction with the central block, presumably before an animal head junction. The bar has a circular cross-section. It terminates in a separate bulbous rove, having thinned towards its end. On the underside of the bar is an integral tab, sub-trapezoidal in form and featuring two circular perforations. The bar is decorated with a double grooved lattice pattern in a zone above the tab delineated by transverse grooves; it has broken around the location…
Created on: Wednesday 8th May 2013
Last updated: Friday 9th November 2018
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Ashwell', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: HESH-CB5842
Object type: STRAP END
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Hertfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A fragment from a cast copper alloy 'Winchester Style' strap end of later early medieval date (900 - 1100 AD). Only the very tip of the strap end survives - the beaks on the edges are all heavily eroded . In plan the fragment is semi-circular (D shaped) and in section it is lentoid. The exterior edge is decorated with a series of D shaped arches, from the base of each arch a lentoid rib extends which conjoin at the mid point. The centre of each rib is decorated with a single incised line - possibly inlaid with niello. In the area between the ribs are two cast irregular oval / teardrop…
Created on: Sunday 10th March 2013
Last updated: Tuesday 19th September 2017
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'High Wych', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: BH-1EB017
Object type: STRAP END
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Hertfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A copper-alloy strap end, probably dating from the Late Early-Medieval period. The strap end is sub-rectangular in plan, having a straight top and parallel long sides, but tapering into a rounded bottom end. The artefact is of unusual construction, having apparently been cast in one piece. The thickest point is at the top, from where the thickness gradually tapers towards the base. A vertical strap slot extends downwards from the top of the strap end and a pair of opposing rivet holes is located centrally, a short distance below the top edge. The upper surface is very corroded but t…
Created on: Thursday 13th September 2012
Last updated: Friday 14th September 2012
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Much Hadham', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: BH-216341
Object type: STRAP END
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Hertfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An Early-Medieval copper-alloy strap-end. The artefact is sub-rectangular in plan, the slightly convex long sides gradually converging towards the base. At the top is the split attachment, with a central gap, into which the now-missing strap would have slotted and been held in place by the two (surviving) rivets. The horizontal upper side of the damaged attachment appears to have a 'V-shaped' cut-out at its centre, while the upper surface bears an incised pelta. The rectangular panel which occupies much of the upper surface of the strap-end is decorated with an incised pattern whic…
Created on: Saturday 3rd March 2012
Last updated: Wednesday 19th March 2014
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Stanstead Abbotts', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: BH-C02758
Object type: PURSE
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Hertfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A fragment of a copper-alloy purse frame of Late Medieval to early post-Medieval date. The piece consists of an upward-curving strip of inverted 'U-shaped' section. On the outer (display) surface is a zig-zag pattern of double, niello-filled grooves. The inner surface is plain and has, near the centre, a damaged attachment hole. The object measures 50.4mm long, 6.5mm wide and 4.6mm thick. The weight is 7.83g. This is a piece of a London Museum type A1 purse frame, dating from the late 15th to early 16th century (see Ward-Perkins 1967: 162-167).
Created on: Friday 6th August 2010
Last updated: Thursday 8th November 2018
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Clothall', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: BH-C72032
Object type: STRAP END
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Hertfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A copper-alloy strap-end of Early-Medieval date. The artefact is sub-rectangular in plan, the long sides being bowed, the width tapering towards the terminal. The attachment consists of two plates, separated from each other by a central gap. The now-missing strap would have slotted between these two plates and been held in place by two rivets; the holes for one of these rivets survives, the other side of the attachment is damaged. Incised in the upper surface of the attachment is a 'U-shaped' groove containing a grooved saltire. The main decorative panel occupies the upper surface …
Created on: Tuesday 13th July 2010
Last updated: Friday 28th March 2014
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Baldock', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: BH-C68823
Object type: STRAP END
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Hertfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A copper-alloy strap-end of Early-Medieval to Medieval date. The shaft of the strap-end is narrow, parallel-sided and thick. The convex upper surface bears three parallel decorative panels, separated from each other by segmented bands. Portions of these panels show signs of wear; the right hand panel, which survives best, bears a series of small incisions which extend inwards from both of the longer sides, creating a zig-zag line in between. The other panels appear to have been decorated in the same manner. At the base of the strap-end is a heavily stylised zoomorphic head. The low…
Created on: Tuesday 13th July 2010
Last updated: Friday 28th March 2014
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Baldock', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: BH-4B6E07
Object type: PURSE
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Hertfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A fragment of a copper-alloy purse frame of Late Medieval to early post-Medieval date. The piece consists of a curved strip of 'U-shaped' section. On the outer (display) surface is a grooved foliate pattern and possibly the letters 'AV' (probably the start of 'AVE MARIA...'). The inner side is flat, plain and narrower than the outer side and contains no attachment holes. The artefact is corroded but retains traces of black niello within its pattern. It measures 43.4mm long, 6.7mm wide and 3.9mm thick. The weight is 4.9g. This is a piece of a London Museum type A4 to A6 purse fra…
Created on: Friday 25th June 2010
Last updated: Thursday 8th November 2018
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Ayot St Lawrence', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: BH-FA9C93
Object type: PURSE
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Hertfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A fragment of a copper-alloy purse frame of Late Medieval to early post-Medieval date. The piece consists of a strip of 'U-shaped' section. On the outer (display) surface is a pattern of double cross-hatched lines, some retaining their black niello infill. Halfway along the inner side is a circular hole for attachment of the purse. Contained within one end of the groove is a separate piece of copper-alloy, the function of which is unclear. The object measures 56.3mm long, 7.5mm wide and 4.8mm thick. The weight is 8.79g. This is a piece of a London Museum type A1 purse frame, dat…
Created on: Friday 28th May 2010
Last updated: Thursday 8th November 2018
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Shenley', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: BH-013524
Object type: MOUNT
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Hertfordshire
Workflow stage: Published
Description: Anglo-Saxon triangular silver mount with niello decoration. The object is still embedded in iron corrosion products, so parts of the edge and the back are obscured. Inside a triangular frame that is notched along two edges, a field with two cut-off corners is inscribed. The field contains silver interlace and floral motifs embedded in largely intact niello. There is a rivet hole in the middle of one of the sides and the corners to either side of the hole are extended into flat silver tabs. The ends of both may be broken and the triangular tip of the object is defini…
Created on: Thursday 5th March 2009
Last updated: Wednesday 18th June 2014
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Furneux Pelham', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: BH-566DA5
Object type: PURSE
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Hertfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A fragment of a copper-alloy purse-frame of late 15th to early 16th century date. The style of this piece classifies it as a London Museum type A frame (London Museum, 1967, p. 163). The end of one bar survives. It is of thin section with wide vertical faces. Both faces have slightly recessed bands which contain engraved lettering. On one face, the letters 'RA' mark the end of the inscription, whilst on the other side the legend begins 'PL'. It is probable that this is part of the legend: 'AVE MARIA GRA(CIA) PLENA', which is a common inscription on purse-frames and translates as 'Ha…
Created on: Wednesday 27th February 2008
Last updated: Thursday 24th February 2011
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Westmill', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: BH-F32C28
Object type: STRAP END
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Hertfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A copper-alloy strap-end of late early-medieval (Anglo-Saxon) date. Although slightly unusual in form, this would nevertheless appear to be an example of a Thomas type A strap-end. The suggested date range is late 8th to late 10th/early 11th century AD. The object tapers in width from top to bottom. The top (strap attachment) end is split into two parallel plates and has a scalloped upper edge and two circular rivet holes. The pointed bottom end takes the form of a stylised animal head, with the eye sockets, nose and ears clearly depicted. The central part of the upper surface of th…
Created on: Sunday 11th February 2007
Last updated: Thursday 24th February 2011
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'North Hertfordshire', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: BH-F8D4C7
Object type: PURSE
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Hertfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A fragment of a copper-alloy purse frame of late 15th to early 16th century AD date. This fragment comes from the bottom part of the pendent frame of a Type A4 to A6 purse (London Museum; 1967; pp. 162-7). The piece is an inverted "V" shape in section and is decorated on its outer face with a pattern of niello-filled double cross-hatched lines. A small sewing hole is located on the plain inner face. The object measures 37.7mm long, 8.1mm thick and 18.2mm high; it weighs 8.36g.
Created on: Friday 13th October 2006
Last updated: Thursday 24th February 2011
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Clothall', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: BH-B7CC58
Object type: PURSE
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Hertfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An arm from a copper-alloy purse bar of late 15th to early 16th century AD date; London Museum type A1 (London Museum; 1967; pp.163). The object is circular in section and has a decorative moulding at the end which would have been closest to the central block. At the distal end is a corroded remnant of the missing knob. A decorative panel occupies the outermost two thirds of the bar; it takes the form of a pair of double-incised crosses, with a vertical border at each end, and has a corroded black niello infill. Directly beneath this panel is a damaged attachment plate containing one …
Created on: Tuesday 10th October 2006
Last updated: Thursday 8th November 2018
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Clothall', grid reference and parish protected.