File:Early Medieval to Medieval stirrup terminal (FindID 442411).jpg

The piece represents one of two original terminals from the basal points of the stirrup. It takes the form of a three dimensional moulded beast. The animal, which resembles a frog, is depicted lying down and facing upwards, its rounded back end forming the base of the terminal. The back legs form a right angle, the surface of one having moulded vertical striations and a scalloped upper edge, giving the appearance of a leaf. The very short body is slender, the front legs apparently not portrayed. The head is overly large, with a curved, recessed cheek on each side, at the top of one of which is a definite recessed pellet eye. From the gaping mouth extends upwards a triple-stranded tongue, the central one being straight-sided and having a deep central recess, each of the two outer strands curving towards a rounded end. The tongue overlies the upper part of the socket, which is of semi-circular section, the hollow underside containing iron corrosion. The lower half of this socket is closed off at the base and sides, the only exception being at the top right corner, where there is a cut-out from which the stirrup's right-angled arm would have protruded. At this point, the base and side of the socket is slightly bent. The top edge of the terminal is also damaged and the surfaces of the artefact are corroded. It measures 43.6mm long, 14.8mm wide, 18.2mm high and weighs 24.75g.

The function of stirrup terminals is illustrated by David Williams (1997: 7). Most were probably used in conjunction with stirrup-strap mounts, the majority of which appear to date from the period either side of the Norman conquest; however, unlike the stirrup-strap mounts, no attempt has yet been made to classify the terminals and no parallel could be found for this design.