File:Copper alloy and enamel medieval heraldic horse harness pendant (FindID 137176).jpg

English: Cast copper alloy medieval heraldic harness pendant. The pendant is shield shaped in plan and flat in section. The reverse is plain and the transverse suspension loop is damaged, with the upper portion missing. The reverse of the pendant is plain. The object is abraded and has a dark brown patina with exposed surfaces to the rear showing as light green. It is 35.8mm long, 23.04mm wide, 2.62mm thick and weighs 7.60g. It is 13th or 14th century in date.

The finder of the pendant contacted I.H. Szymanski who provided the following description and discussion of the heraldic design; the shield bears the arms azure semy of crosslets fitchy and two sea perch (barbells) hauriant addorsed (colour unknown). Much blue enamel remains on the face and some on the reverse, but no gilding. The owner of the arms is Thibaut de Bar, Count of Bar.

The arms on the pendant are French, they belonged to one of several possible Counts of Bar in North Eastern France, occupying the area around the Ornain valley, belonged to Lorraine until the 11th century; it then became independent under first a count and then a duke. After the medieval period it became a relatively unimportant part of Lorraine, but at the time of this pendant’s manufacture, the count was a strategically important ally for Edward I. The first count to consider is Thibaut II, the son and heir of Count Henri II (died 1240). He and his wife had several children including at least four sons; Henri, who became Count Henri III on his father’s death in 1291; Jean, a younger brother of Henri who was Lord of Puisaye, French envoy to England in 1301; Erard, Lord of Pierefont and Thibaut, Treasurer of York Minster. Thibaut II’s main influence in England came through the marriage of the second count of relevance here, Thibaut’s son Henri and the latter’s marriage to Eleanor, Edward I’s eldest daughter following the death of her first husband, Alfonso III of Aragon. Eleanor bore Henri at least three surviving children, including his heir as Count of Bar, Edward. The family were welcomed in England, Jean being given land in Leicestershire in 1304 and Erard land in Scotland, later replaced by a grant of £500. Henri died in 1302, leaving his son a minor and the subsequent regency fell to Jean de Bar.

References: Moor, C, 1929-1932, The Knights of Edward I, Harleian Society 80-84.

I.H. Szymanski’s discussion appears in Treasure Hunting November 2004, page 79.

The finder comments that there are traces of red enamel to the edges of the pendant, which would make the arms those of Jean de Bar, though it is possible that this is perhaps corrosion product.