Copyright Sheffield Galleries & Museums Trust
Fragment of brooch from Roystone Grange
Copyright Sheffield Galleries & Museums Trust
Fragment of brooch from Roystone Grange
Dimensions : Length 2.8cm, width 2.4cm.
Site name : Roystone Grange
Site type : Burial site
Time period : Anglo-Saxon
Material : Bronze; Gold; Metal
Object type : Jewellery; Personal item; Grave goods
Museum number : 1997.1.GRANGE.20
This fragment of an Anglo-Saxon brooch was found at Roystone Grange. It is probably part of the flat head of a square headed brooch. It is decorated with curvilinear designs and covered with a layer of gold.
These brooches were quite large. Some were up to 150cm long. They were cast in a mould. They had lots of decoration and were often gilded. They first appear in Kent at the end of the 5th century. From here, they spread across the country. They are not common in Derbyshire however.
It is a mystery how this piece came to be at Roystone Grange. It may have been found locally and kept as a trinket. It may come from a lost Anglo-Saxon burial site in the area. However, it is an unusual type for the Peak District. It is much earlier in date than other Anglo-Saxon finds from the area. The brooch may have come from outside the area. The grange at Roystone belonged to an abbey at Garendon in Leicestershire. Perhaps the piece was found there.
Bibliography :
Hodges, R. , 1991a
Glossary:
Anglo-Saxon
Excavation
Gilded
Medieval
Peak District
Related objects
Escutcheon from Roystone Grange
Gold and garnet disc from White Low
Necklace from Galley Low
Excavations at Roystone Grange
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