This catalogue forms the bulk of the report prepared by Richard Knox on the finds from the Bosworth survey. A copy of the full report is available in the project archive from ADS. The catalogue details the finds from the Bosworth survey which are known or believed likely to be of medieval date, seeks to determine which could be contemporary with the battle, and provides some indications as to whether they might be battle-related. Dated parallels have been found for most of the material, although the use of these objects is not limited to those dates, as various styles of object remained in circulation for many decades. The finds are listed by type and then within each class by their find number (e.g.: BOS 234), also indicating the field from which they derive (e.g.: F67) which can be identified from Figure 5.5. For each find the length (L), width (W) and thickness (T) and diameter (D) are given as appropriate in millimetres and, where relevant, dates for comparative examples are given from published sources. Images of all catalogue objects are available online via ADS.
Some of these objects were collected in the random survey and lack a point location so they have not been added to any of the distribution maps, accounting for discrepancy between the number there and the number of items listed in the catalogue.
Buckles
BOS 234 F67: Central part of narrow composite buckle with long forked spacer. Circular loop with point. Loop frame triangular with bevel to inside of lower edge. Pin intact. Prongs of spacer fork splayed out widely, presumably post-deposition. Whitehead no 215: 1350–1450. Ottaway & Rogers 13338, 14705 & 14310: fifteenth–early sixteenth century although normally associated with fourteenth century elsewhere. L48.5 W14 T2 without pin.
BOS 253 F174: Circular buckle of angled elliptical section with recessed integral pin bar of round section. Pin missing. Whitehead 251–153: 1350–1650. D36 T4; pin bar 23 long.
BOS 257 F187: Bow of D-shaped buckle with moulded pin rest in slightly swollen round sectioned bow. Whitehead 1250–1500. L42 W19 T6
BOS 258 F187: D-shaped buckle with short offset strap bar, and short, rotating cylinder on recessed bar in centre of swollen loop. Plano-convex bow section with cylindrical roller. Whitehead 57 1250–1500 Egan & Pritchard 270 1150–1200. L20.5 W16 T5.5 Strap bar width c. 8.
BOS 271 F181: Broken double buckle. Originally with tall, narrow loops. Whitehead 287 (but without decoration) 1350–1650. L48 W36.5 T3.
BOS 274 F181: Part of long straight buckle with projecting triangular moulded pin rest. Frame of angled elipse section. Whitehead 69 and 73 1350–1450. Egan & Pritchard 311 1350–1400. L50.5 W19 T4.5.
BOS 275 F181: Small D-buckle with short rotating cylinder on recessed bar in centre of swollen loop of flattened elipse section. Whitehead nos 57 & 58 1250–1500 Egan & Pritchard 270 1150–1200. L20.5 W15.5, T 6.5 pin/strap bar 10.
BOS 277 F181: Gently swollen bow of plain D-shaped buckle. Oval section. Whitehead 55 1250–1500 Ottaway & Rogers 12882 similar twelfth century. L25 W11 T3.
BOS 279 F181: A D-shaped buckle with integral plate. Pin survives in oval pin hole. 2 rivet holes along length of very shallow elliptical sectioned plate. One filled with Cu alloy rivet. Terminal of plate is oval, but possibly broken at tip. Whitehead 195–6 1250–1400 Ottaway & Rogers 13336. Thirteenth–fourteenth century. L47.5 W19 T2 min T5.2 max on rivet.
BOS 317 F69: D–shaped buckle of triangular section with recess in pin bar and integral strap bar behind bow. Would fit strap of 18. Whitehead 539 1350–1450; Egan & Pritchard 472 (1400–1450) L34 W29 T3.
BOS 318 F69: Pin from annular buckle, with ridged panel on outside edge just below broken loop, round section with flattened sides. Whitehead nos 34–5; 1250–1450 who describes them as waist belt buckles. Ottaway & Rogers 14294 1350– 1450. L46 W8 T4.5
BOS 898 F26: Asymmetrical rectangular buckle with pin resting on swollen frame end. Base of pin wide and cylindrical and broken curve of locking bar issues from riveted pin bar. Whitehead 554 1350–1450. L27 W28 T6.5
BOS 1748 F30: Swollen loop of D-shaped buckle with recessed groove for pin rest. Circular section. 5 bow section circular. Similar to Whitehead 80 1250–1400 L28.5 W14 T7.
BOS 1835 F30: Half a Cu alloy D-shaped buckle with offset strap bar. Plano-convex – oval sectioned pin bar. Whitehead 63 1250–1500 Egan & Pritchard 1200–1400 Ottaway & Rogers 14302 early fifteenth century. L17.5 W21 T2.5 oval section bow
BOS 1842 F30: Integral Cu alloy buckle plate of one piece buckle with 2 rivet holes and broken Cu alloy pin. Plano-convex section. Egan & Pritchard Early fourteenth century Whitehead 1250–1400 L30.5 W11.5 T4.
BOS 2221 F403: Small D-shaped Cu alloy buckle with short offset strap bar. Remnants of pin. Whitehead 53, 59 & 63 1250–1500 Egan & Pritchard 274 1270–1350 L18 W 18 incl. pin T3 w/o pin 4.5 with pin.
BOS 2344 F569: Broken double-looped buckle with accentuated ‘spectacle’-shape formed by short, recessed pin bar and slight point to outside of 1 surviving loop. Not in Whitehead. Similar Fe form in Mills 1999 NM21 fifteenth cntury Egan & Pritchard similar form 347 1350–1400 L32 W33 Max T3.5 Pin bar 10 long, D3 (roundish-section).
BOS 2360 F414: Circular buckle with bevelled edges and integral pin bar. ring D-sectioned, pin bar rectangular section. Whitehead 252–3 1350–1650. D: 41 T 4 pin bar 30 long 2.5 wide.
BOS 2713 F187: Fragment of forked spacer plate buckle with slender trapezoidal bow section. Whitehead 211–14 1350–1450 Egan & Pritchard 322–330 1350–1450 L17 15 T3.5.
BOS 4029 F69: Small oval looped double buckle, slightly irregular frame with angled rounded rectangular section. Pin bar with round section strap W 12. Whitehead 310 1500–1650 299; Exeter 73 late fourteenth–fifteenth century; Egan & Pritchard similar to 332–3, 337–9 1350–1450. L21 W17 T2
BOS 4220 F80: Small slightly asymmetrical double buckle. Central integral pin slightly bent and rather worn by missing pin. 1 end of pin bar slightly extended. 1 loop oval, other D-shaped. Whitehead 310 similar 1450–1550 L22.5 W17 T1.5.
BOS 4462 F735: Cu alloy doubled looped buckle with narrow D-shaped loops and suggestion of moulded decoration on loop frames. Frame section triangular and pin bar section circular. Pin bar 11 long. Loops bent upwards. Whitehead 310 1500–1650. L28 W20 T2.
BOS 4506 F46: Wide open work buckle plate with hinge and broad pin slot. Central bar of open work design survives. Not in Whitehead. Thirteenth or fourteenth century? L35 W34 T6.
BOS 4509 F46: Small double buckle with proud oval loops and remnants of iron pin. Pin bar very corroded. Whitehead 294 1350–1650; Egan & Pritchard 337–9 1400–1450; Ottaway & Rogers 14328 w/o moulded decoration possibly shoe buckle. Fifteenth century. L21.5 W18 T3.
BOS 4575 F46: Cast Cu alloy pin from annular buckle. No pronounced moulding below loop. D-shaped section Whitehead 34 and 37 1250–1450 Egan & Pritchard 31–2 1350–1400. L49 W7.5 T4.5
BOS 4709 F59: Elongated D-shaped buckle with full round knop at D end. Remnants of iron pin and possibly Cu alloy buckle plate on pin bar. Pin bar length 8.5 Griffiths et al. 622, 625, 626, 633 late fourteenth century; Whitehead 85 1250–1400 Egan & Pritchard 421 1350–1400. L23 (excl. pin) W14 T3 (excl. pin).
BOS 4752 F399: Fragment of Cu alloy forked spacer buckle with remnant of pin. Egan & Pritchard p. 81 329 330 1400–1450. L13 W13 T3 excl. pin.
BOS 5142 F548: Cu alloy double buckle with D-shaped loops one missing. Remains of Fe pin and Cu alloy buckle plate survive in Fe corrosion. Cf. Egan & Pritchard double buckles with plates 1270–1400. L23 W22 T3.5 on bow.
BOS5220 Fd 548: Half a Cu alloy rectilinear looped double buckle, with knops at either end of pin bar. L16 W19 T2.
BOS 5465 F547: Socketed strap end style plate of Pb alloy buckle with cross hatch decoration and 2 dome-headed Pb alloy rivets. Loop and pin missing. Smaller version of Egan & Pritchard 481 (plus parallel) unstratified but 1400–1450. L19 W11 T4.
BOS 5477 F547: Cast Cu alloy pin of annular brooch. Loop missing and double raised ridge below stub of loop. Whitehead 34–5; 1250–1450 who describes them as waist belt buckles. Ottaway & Rogers 14294 1350–1450. L42.5 W6 T7.
BOS 5541 F403: Broken Cu alloy double buckle with D-shaped loops of section and strong pin bar of section and with projecting ends. Post-medieval? Egan & Pritchard 285 1350– 1400. L39 W24 T3.5.
BOS 5569 F553: Cu alloy buckle in form of Lombardic C with recurved terminals at either end of pin bar and wide flat loop. Egan & Pritchard 285 1350–1400. Whitehead 1300–1400 L38 W32 T2.5.
BOS 5692 F702: Slender Cu alloy buckle loop of oval section. 1 end broken just as starts to taper while other has tapered significantly and appears to have turned to form pin bar. Pin rest offset towards narrow end of loop. Given this strange configuration this may be harness buckle. L45 W23 T4.
Medieval buckles: possible
BOS 881 F30: Rectangular Cu alloy frame with oval sections. No decoration, pin recess or evidence of pin? Whitehead 126–32 1300–1500 but could be much later. L26 W17 T3.
BOS 3366 F402 Elongated Cu alloy double buckle, with loops bent forwards, typical of shoe and spur buckles. L26 W19 T1.5
BOS 5567 F553: Small Cu alloy double buckle with D-shaped loops, with loops slightly bent slightly bent forwards typical of shoe or spur buckles. L20 W16 T1.5.
Buckle plates
BOS 89 F149: Buckle plate for 25 mm belt, with zig-zag incised decoration separated by double line. 4 rivet holes, and broken through pin hole. No fold. Not in Whitehead. Similar in form to Egan & Pritchard 502–8 range of 1230–1400 Ottaway & Rogers 14340 twelfth century. L51 W25 T1.
BOS 295 F24: Thin sheet buckle plate with remnant of fold with circular pin hole and 4 small, crude, triangular rivet holes grouped a far end. L29 W19 T75
Buckle plates: possible
BOS 368 F297: Fragment of thin sheet with oval hole punched through. L25 W24 T2
BOS 537 F81: Fragment of thin sheet with 2 irregular holes punched through. L26 W18 T75
BOS 272 a & b F181: Two sheet fragments with rivet holes, possibly from buckle plate. a.L21 W13.5 max T3.5 min T1 b.L17 W8.5 T75
Strap ends
BOS 263 F181: Composite Cu alloy strap end, made of 3 soldered sheets, middle sheet being most robust. Knop is fleur de lys shaped. DA 605 Phase 11 p131265 DA 676–80 p144 1350– 1450; York 14371(if with spacer plate), L42.2 W (of body)12.4 W (knop)8.1 T3.2 T (single layer of the three)0.4.
BOS 264 F181: Composite Cu alloy strap end with cast forked spacer plate. Upper half of front sheet decorated with punched decoration forming 4 Xs divided by straight lines. Rivet on broken upper edge. Flat knop roughly acorn-shaped but front sheet missing here, middle and rear sheets riveted together. Egan & Pritchard 605 1350–1400 L52.8 W (body at widest)16.2 W (knop)7.8 T5 L of knop14.8.
BOS 265 F181: Cu alloy composite strap end with central forked spacer plate with full round, collared biconical knop. Outer sheets both shorter than cast spacer plate at terminal end and riveted to spacer at top and bottom. Reverse/obverse face sheet detached. Egan & Pritchard 676–80 p. 144; Ottaway & Rogers 14371, 14711–2 fourteenth but in fifteenth–seventeenth century context L42.5. 16 T complete 4.5.
BOS 266 F181: Cast Cu alloy spherical-ended strap end with short thin bifurcated strap fitting with single rivet hole now broken off. PAS. L (total)26.8, L (ball)13, W (ball)15, T (ball)12.2, W (arms)4.8.
BOS 334 F181: Cast Cu alloy spherical-ended strap end with short thin bifurcated strap fitting with single rivet at very top of fitting. PAS. L27 D15.
BOS 802 F30: Parallel-sided sheet plate with single rivet at 1 end. Both ends broken giving no indication of original form. Possibly covering sheet from composite strap end or buckle. (Or possibly a post-medieval pen knife). L20.8 W10 T1.
BOS 1497 F69: Cast Cu alloy spacer plate from composite strap end of circular form, with full round, collared knop. Evidence of solder on both faces. Dress Acc 648–651 Phase 9 & 11 pp. 140–1:York 14372 p2901. L49 W20 max W (at top of spacer fork)12 T3.5.
BOS 3576 F103: Parallel sided Cu alloy sheet with 1 end straight and other rounded with rivet hole. Possibly strap end over plate. 3576. L18 W11 T1.3.
BOS 4514 F46: Full round knop and part of spacer plate of circular form Cu alloy strap end. Egan & Pritchard 648, 650, 651 1350–1400 Ottaway & Rogers 14437 L28 W22 T4
BOS 5626 F547: Cu alloy folded strap end with parallel sides slightly tapering towards fold. Incised horizontal line traversing width of strap end just above fold. Rivet end badly mangled. L34 W9 T2.5.
Strap fittings and belt mounts
BOS 267 F181: Cast Cu alloy bar mount with central circular hole in raised polygonal surround with bevelled edges. 1 arm of bar missing and other missing its terminal and rivet. Egan & Pritchard 11157 1270–1350; Read 143; 1350–1400 Ottaway & Rogers 14437 fourteenth–early fifteenth century.
BOS 333 F181: Hollow backed, cast Cu alloy elliptical domed mount with single square sectioned integral rivet off-centre on reverse side. L24 W12 T5
BOS 338 F181: As 333 L22 W12 T7.
BOS 348 F329: As 333.
BOS 1324 F188: As 333 L24 W12 T4.
BOS 1493 F95: Cu alloy cinquefoil domed mount with 2 integral attachment spikes on rear. Very similar in form to sexfoil mount in Ottaway & Rogers 13370 and 13372 but without separate rivets. (late fifteenth century and U/s). D22 T27.
BOS 1493 F95: Large cast Cu alloy mount in form of rose. Central hole irregular and probably damaged. 6 small petals around central hole, 6 larger ones around those and 6 large petals around outside edge. 2 small holes worn through mount. Reverse of object shows some of reverse of obverse pattern. Could be later furniture escutcheon. Similar decorative style to Egan & Pritchard 947 1400–1450 and Ottaway & Rogers 14426 fourteenth century. D29 T2 Irregular central hole 4.
BOS 1515 F30: Large rectangular mount of gilded Cu alloy sheet. Each scalloped corner has Cu alloy rivet. Vestigial signs of incised double line border and internal decoration on 1 surface. Piece is bent and partially folded. 1515 L42 W42 T1.
BOS 2232 F181: Wide flat Cu alloy sheet with 2 small Fe rivets along straight edge. Other edges ragged with 2 irregular open work holes. Ottaway & Rogers 12892 residual in seventeenth century context. L36 W30 T1.
BOS 3561 F103: Tinned cast Cu alloy domed mount subdivided into 12 segments or petals. Single square sectioned integral rivet near centre on slightly hollowed reverse. D26 T of dome 4.5 T (total) 6.
BOS 3575 F103: Thin broken Cu alloy mount with off-centre punched hole. 2 arms survive of what was presumably once cruciform. L16 W16 T1.
BOS 4635 F82: Slim Cu alloy belt mount, almost certainly originally with hooked terminal. 2 integral rivets on reverse. Heavy patina with deep corrosion. Parallels from medieval and more commonly Tudor contexts are known. L28.5 W11 T 6.
BOS 4815 F542: Short, broad Cu alloy belt or strap mount, almost certainly originally with hooked terminal, but original direction of curve uncertain. 2 integral rivets on reverse. Heavy patina with deep corrosion. A good parallel from London (Egan & Pritchard pp. 155–6 728 dated to 1270–1350. Similar mounts, but with recurved hook, from Isle of Wight (PAS IOW-7184a4) and Derbyshire, suggested sixteenth or seventeenth century (Read 2008, 225).
BOS 5478 F547: Fragment of rose-shaped cast Cu alloy strap mount, broken in half, with remains of central sub-circular hole. D2 T4
BOS 5486 F547: Heavily eroded Cu alloy strap fitting which tapers gently towards 1 broken end and sharply at other into what was probably a hook. Long Cu alloy rivet through centre of fitting just before shoulders of hook. Remnants of original surface on both sides of fitting adjoining rivet. Upper surface has traces of gilding. L30 W7.5 T7
BOS 5577 F547: Cast Cu alloy strap fitting in form of an acorn. 2 integral round rivets issuing from concave reverse. Possibly post-medieval. Read 331–4 seventeenth century. L24 W15 T4
Badges
BOS 124 F80: Silver gilt openwork badge, cast in form of bird of prey with wings spread and, unusually in medieval heraldry, head looking to right. Long sinuous object dangling from bird’s beak, down its body and across to right claw. This is likely to be a snake, although a long scroll is also possible. Plain reverse has solid, oval-sectioned bar soldered horizontally to it. Both ends of rod broken. Significance of heraldry uncertain. Eagle and serpent is common ‘good over evil’ motif in use from ancient times but is also crest of Childe family. Milo Childe is recorded as having been imprisoned by Henry probably having fled Bosworth. Recorded as late fifteenth or very early sixteenth century by British Museum. L15 W12.5 T3.
BOS 5227 F542: Silver badge in form of boar, with well defined features and traces of gilding behind head on back bristles. All feet missing. Single scar at centre of reverse suggests vertical pin attachment, but has now broken off. Many of these badges produced at Richard’s coronation in July 1483 and again at his son’s investiture in September 1483 and would have been worn by one of his knightly or noble supporters at the battle. Only 3 other silver boar badges known: from Chiddingly, West Sussex (Treasure ref: 2000 T359), Stillingfleet, North Yorkshire (PAS ref YORYM-1716A4 Treasure ref: 2010 T471)and other is in book of detector finds (Murawski, 2003), but unprovenanced. 1483. L38 W32 T2.5.
BOS 3971 F82: Cast lead object with smooth central surfaces on both side fronm which issue many randomly spaced, radiating protrusions, just possibly Sun in Splendour.1 smooth face (perhaps reverse) is larger than other and has broken flat bar attached to it centrally, presumably by solder. No Parallel. D26.5 T6
BOS 5399 F548: Part of possible lead alloy badge in form of a Lombardic H.
Finger rings
BOS 4324 F81: Gold finger ring with oval bezel decorated with scalloped motif on upper surface of carinated profile. Bezel contains compacted brown substance but presumably once held stone or glass mount. Slim but sturdy loop is D-shaped section. No marks or inscription. British Museum unable to date. Could be post-medieval, but most likely Roman or medieval. Loop max external D23 internal D20 W3 T1.5 bezel W12 L14.5.
BOS 4745 F339: Second small gold finger ring located in field 339. Now bent, thin wire ring of 1 round section and as such is again undatable. Original internal D c.14 so very unlikely to be worn by man. Could be Roman or medieval. Undated by British Museum.
BOS 4818 F542: Cast Cu alloy finger ring of possible medieval date.
Medieval buttons: probable
BOS 262 F181: Small cast Cu alloy solid ball button with broken integral loop on stalk. Date parallel Max D9.5 T(total)9 T (face)7. Shank W3.
BOS 1332 F188: Small cast Cu alloy globular with rectangular sectioned loop shank, broken at the loop. Date Parallel D11 T(total)9.11 T (face)6. Shank W5.
BOS 1408 F327: Small silver globular button of almost elliptical section, with missing small Cu alloy loop. D10.5 T8.
BOS 3492 F187: Globular cast Cu alloy button in a heart shape with integral large loop on short shank. Date Parallel L15 W12 T12.
BOS 3763 F30: Very small globular Cu alloy button with flat stub of integral loop. D8 T8.
BOS 4157 F765: Small hemispherical cast Cu alloy button or stud or pin head with no decoration but incised rim on reverse side and evidence of broad ?iron central shank Date Parallel D8.5 T5.
Medieval buttons: possible
BOS 219 F46: Undecorated, slightly domed, circular cast lead button or stud, 5 central, round sectioned shank with casting flash either side on reverse. Date Parallel. D15.8 T(face and stud)6.3 T (face)4.2.
BOS 260 F181: Gently domed cast lead button decorated with raised four petalled flower. Integral attachment loop roughly rectangular and intact with small circular hole close to reverse of button. Date Parallel D22.1 T(face and loop)10.8 T (face)6.1 D (of loop hole)1.1.
BOS 339 F181: Flat cast Pb alloy? disc with evidence of central shank on side. Probably early button. Date Parallel D21 T3.9.
BOS 1421 F329: Gently domed cast Pb alloy button with evidence of loop showing on both surfaces.. Date Parallel D11 T (total)4 T (face)3.
BOS 1468 FF324: Very slightly domed Pb alloy button with stub of integral loop on flat reverse. A raised area in middle of upper face and possible evidence of cast decoration. D18 T4.
BOS 2112 F329: Slightly domed, plain Pb alloy button or stud, with stub of integral loop or shank on flat reverse. D15 T5.5.
BOS 3337 F706: Gently domed cast Pb alloy button or stud with possible sexfoil shape and circular central shank on reverse. Date Parallel D16 T (total)7 T (face)4.
BOS 3462 F100: Small, gently domed Pb alloy button with integral loop missing. D12 T5.
BOS 4444 F82: Gently domed Pb alloy button or stud with stub of integral loop or shank. All edges missing. D13 T5.
BOS 4645 F206: Domed Cu alloy button or stud with strong rim, central raised circle and possibly other decoration but surface has come away. Raised section in centre of reverse suggests integral loop (or shank). D13.5 T9.
Scabbard fittings
BOS 294 F24: Dagger chape made of thin folded Cu alloy sheet. Pointed terminal with sheet cut and folded in. Oval section. Single surviving rivet hole on 1 edge. V-shaped nick at top edge of better preserved face, perhaps decorative feature. Roughly rounded-triangular section (flat at the back). Cf. Ottaway & Rogers (but smaller) 12891–12891, 13359, 14393, 14395 & 15202 all mid-fourteenth–fifteenth century. L25 max. W13 max. T9.
BOS 504 F199: Slightly tapering, thinly cast Cu alloy object with 2 broken return edges on long sides of interior surface. Possible dagger chape. Suggestion of parallel lines traversing face at narrower end of piece. L41 W15 T3.
BOS 4755 F399: Cast Cu alloy U-shaped sword scabbard chape with iron corroded groove on inside edge. Centre of chape swollen, but has no lower knop, which are typically seen on medieval chapes, and thickness tapers off towards terminals. Difficult to assess original extent of edges as heavily corroded. Could also be Roman. Parallel L36 W26 T10.
BOS 5222 F548: Triangular bottom fragment of cast Pb alloy sword scabbard chape. Pb alloy is unusual for this sort of equipment but several are recorded in Egan & Pritchard. L18.5 W10 T11.
BOS 5430 F547: Cast Pb alloy sword scabbard chape. Deep, parallel sided socket, now broken and somewhat distorted, has stepped narrowing towards semi-circular knop issuing from oval terminal. L27 W22 T11.
Dagger chape: possible
BOS 2235 F93: Long slim cone of rolled Cu alloy sheet with Fe core throughout entire length. L74 W15 T8.
Dagger rondel: possible
BOS 496 F800: Plain flat circle of Cu alloy with rectangular hole in centre. Outer edge bevelled on one side and edges of central hole bevelled on other side. Traces of cream coloured accretion on both faces. D34 T4.
BOS 3591 F95: Heavy Cu alloy mount with central irregular hole in form of stylised flower with 8 raised pellets surrounding hole, then 8 raised ‘petals’ made of four parallel ribs between which, on outside edge, were originally 8 small circular protrusions. D 33.5 T: 3 Central hole 5.5.
BOS 5985 F550: Fairly crudely cast Cu alloy circular mount with raised petals radiating from 4 mm sub-circular central hole. Further raised pellets around the central hole and a raised rim. Possibly a post- medieval furniture fitting. D30 T2.
Knife fittings
BOS 3491 F197: Bifurcating ?double hoof knife handle with iron tang visible set into underside. Medieval Read No 650 L 16 W12 (incl. iron) T7.
BOS 4131 F58: Oval Cur alloy knife or dagger handle plate with central rectangular hole to take tang. Possibly medieval. Read No 650–2. L29 W28 T2.5.
BOS 5372 F548: End fragment of cast Cu alloy composite knife handle, with rounded end, parallel sides and convex curve. Single rivet hole pierces rounded end through a cast platform on inside edge. L28.5 W17 T5.
Sword fragment
BOS 5604 F547: Tapering Cu alloy object with heavy gilding on all original surfaces, diamond-shaped section but central ridge of 1 face decorated with roped moulding. This is part of cross-guard of high status sword. L38 W15 T9.
Spurs
BOS 4175 F80: Six pointed rowel with bevelled edges and circular hole slightly off-centre. Traces of tinning. Medieval Horse and its Equipment no. 329 1300–1340 and no. 341 1360–1400 D25 T3 central hole D 4.5.
BOS 5761 F547: Cu alloy 8-spiked spur rowel, with central hole filled with corroded iron. Parallels for late fourteenth to mid-seventeenth century date, but very plausibly late fifteenth century. D 29 T3.5 at centre.
Possible spur fragment
BOS 175 F178: Corroded, curving Cu alloy strip of near oval section, with traces of gilding. Possibly part of spur arm, or purse bar fragment, now bent and misshapen. W6.6 widest part. Distance between ends 55.2.
Harness pendants
BOS 179 F185: Quatrefoil pendant with central circular hole suspended within wreath shaped frame, itself with now broken suspension loop. PAS parallel LIN-EF2662,1300–1499. L42 W28 T body 3 loop 7.
BOS 249 F24: Large, now leaf shaped harness pendant. No evidence of decoration surviving other than gilding. Suspension loop complete. PAS parallel IHS-646B70 ‘likely late thirteenth C date’. L (loop to point)46.8 W (at shoulders)36.1 T0.9 D (of loop hole)2.3 L (of loop)10.5.
BOS 281 F181: Scutiform pendant with chevron between 3 birds. Paralleled (in heraldic form at least) with Rhys ap Thomas Argent, a chevron between 3 Cornish choughs sable (a black chevron between 3 black birds on a silver shield) (Lancs) and part of Savage coat of arms (Lancs). Suspension loop broken. 1300–1450. L (loop to point)36.2 L (shield)27.6 W (at shoulders)22.8 D (of broken hole)2.2 T2.
BOS 310 F334: Scutiform pendant with Argent two bars gules in chief three torteaux (a gold shield with 2 horizontal red bars below 3 red balls in horizontal line.) Paralleled to the Wake coat-of-arms. Roger Wake (1452–1503) fought at Bosworth and this coat-of-arms is on his tomb. L40 W24 T (of shield)3 T (of loop)6.
BOS 1496 F69: Gilded Cu alloy fleur de lys harness pendant with single riveted attachment mount. Front of fleur de lys has ridges along petals. PAS parallels HAMP-FBEBB6 FDL 1200–1400 BH-56D172 1300–1500 Read no. 459 L42 W19 T11.
BOS 1499 F69: Small square Cu alloy harness pendant. Corroded so no sign of decoration. Suspension loop broken. PAS records these small simple pendants as twelfth century. L26 W 18 T (loop)4 T (square)2.
BOS 3592 F181: Small circular pendant with motto around red cross on bronze? shield on blue field. PAS parallels IHS-6F1E82, IHS-6F7105, and DENO-F5F2C5. Yorkshire FLO asserts that these pendants represented the Knights Templar, who were closed down in 1314, however AVE MARIA GRATIA PLENA legend and red cross are standard Christian content and do not have to relate to religious orders. Best PAS example is 7018F5 Barnby Moor East Riding 32 W20 T (body)2 (loop) 3.
BOS 5649 F547: Upper portion of openwork pendant frame, similar to 179. L43 W27 T6.
Harness bell: possible
BOS 319 F69: Upper half of sheet Cu alloy rumbler bell with squashed and broken flat sheet suspension loop riveted through. No sounder holes on upper hemisphere. Egan & Pritchard 1666 1400–1450 D3 H32
BOS 2973 F706: Cast Cu alloy rumbler bell with sounder holes at either end of slit on lower hemisphere but no holes on upper hemisphere. Join of two halves not clear on external surface. Integral loop rounded arched with 6 mm diam. circular suspension hole. L 42.5 W: 44 T22.5.
Coins
BOS 116 F68: Long cross penny of an Edward; D20 T0.5.
BOS 373 F196: Long cross penny of Edward III, 1356–1361; D18.5 T0.5.
BOS 456 F51: Cut short cross halfpenny. Possibly of John 1180–1217 D19.5 T0.5.
BOS 595 F54: Long cross penny of Edward III 1356–1361 D15 T0.5.
BOS 634 F53: Long cross penny of Henry III 1247–1272 D18 T0.5.
BOS 878 F30: Long cross penny of Edward I 1272–1307 D16 T0.5.
BOS 1174 F67: Long cross penny of Edward III 1356–1361 D17 T0.5.
BOS 1320 F188: Long cross penny of an Edward (1272–1483) D19.5 T0.5.
BOS 1326 F188: Cut voided long cross penny of Henry III (1247–1272) D16 T0.5.
BOS 1634 F30: Long cross penny of a Henry D18.5 T0.5.
BOS 2358 F414: Long cross penny with illegible obverse (1247–14??) D19.5 T0.5.
BOS 2385 F403: Long cross penny with blank obverse (1247– 14??) D16 T0.5.
BOS 2665 F187: Fragmentary long cross penny of Edward (1272–1483) L13 T0.5.
BOS 2971 F579:Short cross penny of Henry III 1217–1247 D18.5 T0.5.
BOS 2977 F571:Very worn and folded penny. Pellets and cross bar just visible on reverse. D16 T0.5.
BOS 3556 F103: Very worn and fragmentary long cross penny. D16 T0.5.
BOS 4184 F79: Half groat, possibly of Edward IV 1461–1483 Obverse rather worn and bent. Legend clipped. D20 T0.7.
BOS 4326 F81: Groat of Edward III 1327–1377 D25 T0.7.
BOS 4329 F81: Long cross penny, possibly of Edward III 1327–1377 D17 T0.5.
BOS 4398 F82: Long cross penny of an Edward (1272–1483) D19.5 T0.5.
BOS 4479 F46: Long cross penny of Edward I (1272–1307) D20 T0.5.
BOS 4484 F46: Long cross penny of Edward I or II (1272–1314) D20 T0.5.
BOS 4659 F59: Charles the Bold Double Patard. Flemish/Dutch issue. 1467–1477. Rampant lion in centre of reverse cross rather than usual fleur-de-lys D27 T0.5.
BOS 4688 F397: Cut long cross halfpenny D20 T0.5.
BOS 4730 F398: Farthing, possibly of Edward III D20 T0.5.
BOS 4801 F399: Long cross penny of an Edward D20 T0.5.
BOS 4825 F542: Groat of Edward IV D20 T0.7.
BOS 4883 F399: Fragmentary long cross penny L13 T0.5.
BOS 4918 F30: 1 fragment of a double patard D20 T0.5.
BOS 4919 F30: 2 fragments of a double patard D20 T0.5.
BOS 5209 F30: Long cross penny D20 T0.5.
BOS 5296 F542: Long cross penny D20 T0.5.
BOS 5522 F540: Clipped half groat of Henry VII D19 T0.5.
BOS 5597 F546: Long cross penny of an Edward. D20 T0.5.
BOS 5610 F547: Long cross penny of an Edward. D18.5 T0.5.
BOS 5683 F702: Long cross penny of an Edward. D18.5 T0.5.
BOS 5706 F554: Long cross penny of an Edward. D17.5 T0.5.
BOS 5806 F542: Long cross penny fragment post-1247.
BOS 5876 F30: Cut short cross halfpenny of Henry III? pre-1247 D20 x T0.5.
BOS 5903 F542: Long cross penny of an Edward post-1272 D19 T0.5.
BOS 5943 F30: Long cross penny fragment. Post-1247.
Candlesticks
BOS 847 F30: Rim and part of wall of small Cu alloy candlestick socket. Incised line below rim’s outer edge. Original D c. 22 Read nos 892–3. L17 W17 T4.
BOS 2096 F162: Wall and rim of plain Cu alloy vertical sided large candle stick socket. Possible diagonal slashing to upper edge. Original D c. 38. L28 W18 T2.5.
BOS 4540 F46: Rim fragment from drip flange of Cu alloy candlestick. Read no. 896 late fourteenth century. L25 W14 T8.
Seal matrices
BOS 341 F530: Almost oval elliptical Cu alloy seal matrix. Heavily corroded and legend and device illegible. Suspension loop on reverse missing. L24 W21 T4.5.
BOS 5442 F545: Pyramidal pendant seal of hexagonal form with simple suspension loop with iron fill. Seal corroded and indistinct; legend mostly missing and illegible. Material appears to be Pb alloy with pale green accretion, but could be Cu alloy. Read nos 586–97 c. 4th century. L26 D18.
Ampulla
BOS 1446 F330: Fragment of lower part of cast Pb ampulla, with indecipherable decoration on 1 side and part of crown on other. Possibly a Walsingham flask. L41 W24 T5.
Spoons
Handles and bowls of 3 Pb alloy and 1 Cu alloy spoons of probable medieval date have been found. A further 5 are too fragmentary to date, and could be post-medieval as well as medieval.
Vessel fragments
Vessel fragments make up a considerable proportion of the medieval and possible medieval assemblages from the Survey. 70 have been found in total, although as Cu alloy cooking and eating vessels remained in use from Roman through to the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, close dating of unstratified fragments is virtually impossible. One would perhaps expect such artefacts to be found in close proximity to sites in which they were used, but their spread appears to be very random around the survey area. The majority of vessel fragments are rims and body sherds. A much smaller proportion are Cu alloy legs, which could be from vessels or candlesticks. The concentration in the south-west corner may be a product of the Roman site. 15 vessel fragments have been given a medieval date.
Lead weights
Like the vessel fragments homemade Pb weights are very difficult to date closely, but can also be used to demonstrate proximity to medieval settlement and commercial activity. Of the 89 total weights recovered, 28 are thought to be medieval. Of these only 1 is firmly dated to the medieval period.
Spindle whorls
Of the 35 lead spindle whorls found, 10 Pb have been dated to the medieval period. Surprisingly only 3 of these are immediately adjacent to a medieval settlement. The majority of spindle whorls from the survey are flat or shallow bun-shaped and are more likely to be Roman. A concentration of these types in the south-west corner of the survey area is likely to relate to a Roman site, which also yielded lead steelyard weights.
Objects of possible medieval date
A significant number of finds have been recorded which are difficult to date, due to damage or a lack of good parallels from solid contexts, but have a feel and condition which suggests that they could date from the medieval period. However, unless exact parallels can be found from firmly dated contexts their actual date and potential relevance can never be proven.
Cast bronze rings
Crudely cast and filed bronze rings (usually of hexagonal section) are a common detector find in most landscapes. Some have been found (on other sites) with Cu alloy strap attachments connected to them, suggesting a horse harness or equipment suspension use. Of the 27 rings found in the survey there is a particular concentration in the fields next to Fenn Lane. Assuming all of these ring are from horse harnesses, they could of course be agricultural as well as military.
Cu alloy studs
The survey has produced 67 Cu alloy studs of indeterminate date and nature, of these 12 are possibly medieval. Medieval parallels can be found for all these types of stud, identified as belt and strap decoration as well as box, door and furniture fittings, although similar items are found in assemblages from most periods including the modern era. As a result these objects can only be used as a possible indicator of medieval activity.
Unidentified objects
26 items: BOS 238; 309; 311; 350; 505; 545; 546; 626; 1211; 2200; 2261; 2483; 490; 2546; 2666; 4311; 4357; 4815; 5150; 5162; 5282; 5406; 5511; 5630; 5655.
Because of the need to ensure a high degree of independence from previous interpretations, over which there has been such intense debate, the primary written sources have as far as practicable been revisited and reworked. While key secondary works are represented in the present bibliography, no attempt has been made to provide a comprehensive bibliography of all of the literally hundreds of publications which discuss the battle or to reference all previous use of particular primary sources.
Further detailed evidence on various aspects of the investigations is presented in a series of specialist reports which underpin many aspect of the present text. These reports are available online from the Archaeology Data Service (ADS):
Geophysics: Peter Masters, Cranfield University Historic landscape:
Military history: Anne Curry & Janet Dickinson, University of Southampton. This report is complemented by their full presentation of the primary sources for the battle, the final proofing and conversion of which into modern English was undertaken by Susan England. An additional note has also been provided by Michael Bletzer on the Hapsburg captains that fought at Bosworth and Stoke Field.
Other finds: Richard Knox, LCC. This report was prepared with additional advice from Graeme Rimer, Robert Woosnam-Savage, Karen Watts and others at the Royal Armouries; Michael Siddons; the late Geoffrey Egan; and Wendy Scott, Portable Antiquities Officer at LCC. Palaeoenvironmental:
Place Names: Barrie Cox Soils: Rodney Burton.