File:Pendant (FindID 69643).jpg

English: Complete shield-shaped silver pendant, probably a vervel (part of a hawk's harness and used for identification). It is engraved on one side with the crest of Waldegrave of Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex and Northampton, a ducal coronet with a double plume of feathers (Fairbairn's Crests, p.488, plate 64 cr,5). On the other side, engraved in Roman capitals, SR.W./WAL/DEGR/AVE. At the top of the shield, a large suspension loop which is pierced from front to back, so in the same plane as the shield. Measuring 20mm in total height and 12.5mm in width. The circular suspension loop measures 8.7mm externally and 5mm internally. The shield is 13mm in height. Unusually the suspension loop is unworn.

The lettering suggests a 16th- or 17th-century date for this heraldic vervel. It probably belonged to the original William Waldegrave (1507-1554) or his son, also William, who fathered 12 children, died in 1617, and has a large tomb in Bures church, Suffolk.

Examined and described by Dr Dora Thornton, Curator of Renaissance Collections, Department of Prehistory and Europe, The British Museum, under the Treasure Act, who also suggested an alternative use as a horse-harness pendant.

Compare other vervels with shield-shaped plates, e.g. WILT-E0B23A, BH-D528FA, PAS-EA634F, WMID-F362CD and PAS-DABAFB. The ring is normally set at right angles to the shield, but there are other shapes known (see for instance KENT-20ADE8). Dating is usually from the named individual and tends to be late 16th or 17th century.