I Dig Sheffield | Digging Around Sheffield and the Peaks

Dimensions : Diameter 4cm.

Site name : Roystone Grange
Site type : Burial site

Time period : Anglo-Saxon
Material : Bronze; Enamel; Metal
Object type : Household item; Grave goods
Museum number : 1997.1.GRANGE.19

This escutcheon from Roystone Grange was part of a hanging bowl. Hanging bowls are sometimes found in rich Anglo-Saxon graves. They were metal bowls, suspended on a chain. Each had a number of escutcheons as decoration. They also covered up the part where the chain attached to the bowl.

This example probably had enamel on its surfaces. The enamel has not survived. Colours like red and yellow were probably used. This piece is dated to the 7th century. This is the same date as the group of rich Anglo-Saxon burials from elsewhere in the Peak District.

The escutcheon was found in Building B at the grange. This building was in use for a short period in the 13th century.

We can only guess how this came to be at the Medieval farm. Since it comes from a hanging bowl, it must have come from a burial. Perhaps one of the Medieval grange's staff found it somewhere. Perhaps the burial was disturbed by rabbits or by grazing sheep.

There is a prehistoric burial mound at Minninglow close to the farm. It is possible there was an Anglo-Saxon one nearby too.

Find out more...

Bibliography :
Hodges, R. , 1991a

Glossary:
Anglo-Saxon
Escutcheon
Excavation
Medieval
Peak District
Prehistoric

Related objects
Fragments of enamelled escutcheon from Benty Grange
Fragment of brooch from Roystone Grange
Sheep bones from Roystone Grange
Pin set from Cow Low

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