https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/templates/general_wide/img/logo.png UKDFD Recording Software https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/ Medieval https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/medieval.html Strap-End https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/medieval/strap-ends/strap-end-59420.html Fri, 09 Oct 2026 16:18:27 GMT Strap-ends Strap-End  
Description: An incomplete strap-end of composite three-piece construction, consisting of a cast spacer and two sheet plates. The cast spacer is probably forked and has a devolved animal-head terminal. The front plate is decorated with ten punched ring-and-dot motifs arranged in two rows of five. The back plate is plain. The attachment end is incomplete, and all surfaces are severely corroded, thus obscuring any surviving rivets.
Category: Medieval, Strap-ends
Category: Strap-ends
]]> Swivel https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/medieval/swivels/swivel-59409.html Sun, 04 Oct 2026 12:20:45 GMT Swivels Swivel  
Description:

The female element of a two-piece zoomorphic swivel for suspension or strap distribution. Originally consisting of two sub-oval rings of similar size, each with an integral hemispherical boss, flanked on either side by animal-head mouldings. The bosses provide the means of connection, one incorporating a spigot (cf. UKDFD 27157) and the other recessed or pierced to accommodate it (cf. UKDFD 26046). The two parts will be free to rotate, but axial movement will be constrained by swaging.
 

Note re dating

The decoration of zoomorphic swivels of this type is inspired by the Romanesque art style of the 11th and 12th centuries. However, the influence of the style persisted throughout the medieval period, and close dating is therefore difficult. Suggested uses for swivels of this type include harness applications, dog leashes, and for linking the leash and jesses in hawking.
Category: Medieval, Swivels
Category: Swivels
]]> Key https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/medieval/keys-and-locks/key-59407.html Sat, 03 Oct 2026 18:49:39 GMT Keys and locks Key  
Description: A large medieval copper-alloy key with incomplete (circular?) bow, circular-section stem with pipe-end and simple bit. The upper portion of the stem is decorated with multiple incised circumferential lines.

The form of the key is closely similar to that of much smaller casket keys of the same period, and it seems most likely that it was used for locking a larger chest.
Category: Medieval, Keys and locks
Category: Keys and locks
]]> Casket Key https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/medieval/keys-and-locks/casket-key-59398.html Sat, 26 Sep 2026 14:37:37 GMT Keys and locks Casket Key  
Description: A medieval copper-alloy casket key with a circular bow, simple bit, and oval-section stem with pipe end. The key appears to have unfettled casting flash adhering to the bow and stem.
 
Category: Medieval, Keys and locks
Category: Keys and locks
]]> Single Loop Oval Buckle https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/medieval/buckles-and-buckle-plates/single-loop-buckles/single-loop-oval-buckle-59396.html Sat, 26 Sep 2026 14:31:50 GMT Single loop buckles Single Loop Oval Buckle  
Description: A complete single loop oval buckle with narrowed and offset strap bar, and a greatly expanded and angled outer edge with pin-notch. The copper-alloy pin is of uniform flat cross-section except for a short taper to the pointed tip.
Category: Medieval, Buckles and buckle plates, Single loop buckles
Category: Single loop buckles
]]> Circular Buckle https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/medieval/buckles-and-buckle-plates/circular-buckles/circular-buckle-59357.html Thu, 27 Aug 2026 13:33:15 GMT Circular buckles Circular Buckle  
Description: A small circular copper-alloy buckle of the medieval period. The frame is plain and has an irregular cross-section. The pin is incomplete.
Category: Medieval, Buckles and buckle plates, Circular buckles
Category: Circular buckles
]]> Single Loop Oval Buckle https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/medieval/buckles-and-buckle-plates/single-loop-buckles/single-loop-oval-buckle-59344.html Sun, 16 Aug 2026 15:15:25 GMT Single loop buckles Single Loop Oval Buckle  
Description: A single loop oval buckle with lipped frame and copper-alloy pin. The buckle has an incomplete integral forked spacer for (missing) sheet-metal front and back plates, which made up a composite rigid plate.
Category: Medieval, Buckles and buckle plates, Single loop buckles
Category: Single loop buckles
]]> Double Loop Oval Buckle with Plate https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/medieval/buckles-and-buckle-plates/double-loop-buckles/double-loop-oval-buckle-with-plate-59327.html Sat, 01 Aug 2026 13:54:33 GMT Double loop buckles Double Loop Oval Buckle with Plate  
Description: A double loop oval buckle, complete with folded sheet-metal plate. The frame has a narrowed strap bar and an expanded straight outer edge to each loop. The plate is rectangular, unrecessed, slotted for the (missing) pin and fitted with a single copper-alloy rivet. 
Category: Medieval, Buckles and buckle plates, Double loop buckles
Category: Double loop buckles
]]> Zoomorphic Mount https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/medieval/mounts/zoomorphic-mount-59319.html Thu, 23 Jul 2026 15:42:39 GMT Mounts Zoomorphic Mount  
Description: A zoomorphic copper-alloy mount of the medieval period. The mount is moulded in the form of an uncertain animal's head, the forehead of which is decorated with incised cross-hatching. There is a single vacant rivet hole, drilled somewhat off-centre, in the brow. 
Category: Medieval, Mounts
Category: Mounts
]]> Harness Pendant https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/medieval/harness-pendants-and-pendant-suspension-mounts/harness-pendant-59313.html Mon, 20 Jul 2026 21:01:20 GMT Harness pendants, studs and suspension mounts Harness Pendant  
Description: A complete shield-shaped heraldic harness pendant of the medieval period. The pendant is quite unusual in that it bears the heraldic arms on both sides. Although some of the detail is worn and unclear, a composite interpretation of the blazoning would appear to be: Azure, a fess dancetty Or between in chief four crosses fleury Or and in base a cross fleury Or between two bezants Or.

The following information has been sourced using AI, and it has not been possible to corroborate it independently: 
The original or inherited arms are Azure, a fess dancetty Or; the crosses are secondary additions. The four charges in chief are family decoration, and the three charges in base are personal differencing.
The only families known to bear this coat in the right period and region are Edgar / Eger / Ager, northern gentry with documented movement of members into Lincolnshire ecclesiastical lands. The most likely bearer of the arms is a cadet member of this family serving Spalding Priory or Crowland Abbey.
Category: Medieval, Harness pendants, studs and suspension mounts
Category: Harness pendants, studs and suspension mounts
]]>