Find Spot record 7638 - Medieval Finds From Townley Farm

<1> Portable Antiquities Scheme, Various, Portable Antiquities Data Import, LVPL-3AB218, LVPL-4922A1, LVPL-494682, LVPL-3AA5D2 & LVPL-3A929 (Digital Archive). SCH5212.

Metal detected finds, comprising two coins, a seal matrix, a book clasp and a pilgrim's ampulla, found at Townley Farm.

Cast copper alloy book clasp (or possibly strap end) from the Medieval period. It has been cast in one and is not complete. Both ends have broken. The bottom (round) end has a small extension which would have had an hook on the end. The top end would have just continued on to a straight end. The book clasp would have fitted onto the edge of the cover of a book. For this the clasp is forked from half way down. The bottom end (which is solid) has a circular perforation around which, on one face, is a flower, using the hole as the central part of the flower.

Cast lead seal matrix from the Medieval period. It is a pointed oval shape with a circular suspension loop on the back at the top. The design on the front consists of a central fleur de lis which has some sort of floral motif (or possibly 2 birds) coming out of the top. Most of the writing is illegible now but a small part can be read as- + S_ _ _ _ _ DE MAY _ This type of seal matrix dates to the 13/14th centuries.

Silver long cross penny of Henry III dating to c.1248-50. This coin has been mis-struck, the back should have one central cross instead there are 2, at angles to each other.

Long cross penny of Henry III dating to 1249-1272. The flan is slightly irregular in shape and the design is not central on the flan.

Cast lead Mediveal pilgrims ampulla. It is almost complete, one handle is missing and the top of the neck is uneven from breaks. On one face, at the neck, are numbers/letters which looks to be III. It is decorated on both sides with cast decoration on the lower part of the ampulla. One side it is unclear, it appears to be a linear pattern. The other side consists of a crescent which meets at each end. There are lines inside of the crescent.

<2> The British Museum, Portable Antiquities Scheme Online Database, LVPL-3AB218, LVPL-4922A1, LVPL-494682, LVPL-3AA5D2 & LVPL-3A929 (Web Site). SCH5176.