Record Details

NHER Number:13555
Type of record:Find Spot
Name:Multi-period metal objects, coins and pottery sherds

Summary

During 1975-80 a number of objects were recovered from this site. Finds of note included two 6th century Byzantine coins, a Late Saxon strap end, a medieval iron arrowhead and a forged coin of Edward the Confessor.

Images

  • Medieval lead pilgrim badge, buckle plate and belt tag from Bircham Newton  © Norfolk Museums & Archaeology Service

Location

Grid Reference:Not displayed
Map Sheet:TF73SE
Parish:BIRCHAM, WEST NORFOLK, NORFOLK

Full description

24 October 1975.
Coin, not silver, fake of Edward the Confessor.
Information from (S1).
E. Rose (NAU) 19 October 1981.

1976.
Early Saxon pottery and decorated brooch.
E. Rose (NAU) 19 October 1981.

1977. On ploughed surface.
Part gilt bronze strap end with zoomorphic relief decoration. Early Saxon (style II) - Information from E.B. Green (NCM). Reidentified from the illustration as Late Saxon in date, (S2).
Another strap end, or perhaps a buckle plate, with interlace and three rivets remaining in four rivet holes, is Late Saxon. Reidentified from the illustration as a medieval buckle plate, (S3).
Also medieval objects including lead pilgrim badge-ampulla (S4), two bronze belt tags, bronze buckle plate (S5)and seals (S6).
Reidentifications by S. Ashley (HES), 25 April 2014.

1977.
Iron arrowhead, medieval?, 5cm long, much corroded.
Circular lead harness mount, 5cm diameter, design of flowers, circles, containing geometric decoration round central boss, remains of iron fastening at back.
Small crude lead medallion, damaged, 3.5cm diameter.

April 1980. Metal detecting.
Byzantine coins; Justinian I?, 20 Nummia, AD 528. Justin II?, 20 Nummia, AD 577.
Identified by A. Gregory (NCM) 22 April 1980.
See file for further details.
R. Trett (KLM), 1980.

September 1980.
Medieval lead pilgrim badge-ampulla. Reidentified as a medieval lyre-shaped strap-end, 14th century.
Medieval copper-alloy buckle plate. Reidentified as a medieval shield-shaped mount, probably from a horse harness, arms of BOHUN, 13th-14th century.
Medieval copper-alloy belt tag.
Reidentifications by S. Ashley (HES), 25 April 2014.

Monument Types

  • FINDSPOT (Roman to Early Saxon - 43 AD to 650 AD)
  • FINDSPOT (Late Saxon to Medieval - 851 AD to 1539 AD)

Associated Finds

  • COIN (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • POT (Early Saxon - 411 AD to 650 AD)
  • COIN (Late Saxon - 851 AD to 1065 AD)
  • STRAP FITTING (Late Saxon - 851 AD to 1065 AD)
  • AMPULLA (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • ARROWHEAD (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • BUCKLE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • HARNESS (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • PENDANT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • PILGRIM BADGE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • SEAL (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • STRAP FITTING (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • STRAP FITTING (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • WEIGHT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)

Protected Status - none

Sources and further reading

---Monograph: Ashley, S. 2002. Medieval Armorial Horse Furniture in Norfolk. East Anglian Archaeology. No 101.
---Record Card: NAU Staff. 1974-1988. Norfolk Archaeological Index Primary Record Card.
---Secondary File: Secondary File.
---Illustration: Unknown. Sketches of 3 undated signet rings.. Paper. Unknown.
<S1>Map: King's Lynn Museum. KLM 6 inch Record Map.
<S2>Illustration: Gregory, T.. 1977. Drawing of a Late Saxon strap end.. Film. 2:1.
<S3>Illustration: Gregory, T.. 1978. Drawing of a medieval copper alloy buckle plate.. Card. 2:1.
<S4>Illustration: Unknown. 1977. Drawing of a medieval ampulla.. Paper. 1:1.
<S5>Illustration: Unknown. 1977. Sketches of a range of medieval objects found in Great Bircham.. Paper. Unknown.

Related records - none

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