File:Late Medieval, Annular (ring) brooch (FindID 281204).jpg

English: Cast copper alloy annular ‘ring’ brooch of medieval date (1200-1400). The brooch is unusually small and highly decorated. It is sub-circular (slightly oval) in plan with a regular D shaped cross section. On one edge of the frame is a constriction to which a pin is fitted. On the upper (flat face) an area of decoration with a recess coincides with the terminal of the pin – possibly suggesting this also acted as a pin rest. The upper face is decorated with a series of linear incised lines, the pattern of this seems to be random, and may represent the appearance of letters. The design is gilt – the surface survives best in the incised design. The reverse face of the annular brooch is D domed with slightly faceted sides. A cast pattern is present and seems to represent a rope like braid interspersed with four raised knops. The knops are sub-rectangular and arranged evenly around the frame in a saltire pattern. Each knop has a leaf shaped pattern inscribed on the top face. Again the design is heavily gilt. On reflection it is possible that the design near the pin restriction may represent to devolved dogs heads but this is difficult to ascertain due to the circumstances of recording. The pin is decorated with a transverse bar at the junction with the frame and the entire length of the pin is gilt. The pin itself is D shaped similar in nature to that of the frame.

The brooch is a mid green colour with a polished but slightly abraded patina. The patina has been abraded by movement in the ploughsoil and this has also slightly distorted / twisted the brooch frame. Similar brooches have been recorded from excavations in London (Egan and Pritchard: Dress accessories 1150-1450). Similar examples but not a direct parallel to this brooch are illustrated in this volume. Egan and Pritchard argue that the difference between a brooch and buckle is that the former has a constriction in the frame. Using this criteria then this example would be classed as an annular brooch, however, the distinction between the classes as Egan and Pritchard suggest is unclear. The slight nature of this example also suggests a brooch like / decorative function.

The brooch measures 14.4mm in diameter (external) and is 1.7mm thick. The internal diameter of brooch is 8.6mm and the frame is 2.9mm wide. The brooch weighs 1.3 grams.