English: Cast copper alloy enameled harness pendant of probable 14th-century (c.1250 - c.1450) date. The pendant is generally well preserved although the edges are abraded eroded and corroded. In plan the pendant is sub-triangular (shield shaped) and is sub-rectangular (D shaped) in cross-section. The edges of the front face are slightly beveled and the profile of the pendant is slightly bowed (convex). From the centre of the top edge of the pendant an integral cast suspension loop extends; this is set at 90 degrees to the plain of the pendant. This is slightly distorted / bent and the upper section is flattened and pierced (diameter: 2.1mm).

The front face of the pendant has a well preserved - it has an inlayed white enamel design of a moth or butterfly with outstretched wings. The design is well achieved and relatively in scale - filling the entire front face. The butterfly consists of a rounded head with two small circular eyes - from sides of the head two large antenna extend . The thorax and abdomen are shown as one long lentoid shape - which is segmented. The wings are shown outstretched - the two forewings are small than the hindwing. Each forewing is decorated with three small spots arranged in a triangle - the outer skirt id frilled - on the right hand wing this merges with the hindwing. The hind wing of each side is similar decorated with a single spot and a skirt extending on the lower edge. Small traces of gilt surface is present on the area outside the white butterfly - suggesting that the entire front face was gilt and that the butterfly was shown on a field of gold.

The pendant measures 46.7mm in length, 28.2mm in width, is 6.9mm thick across the suspension loop and 1.9mm thick across plate. The pendant weighs 10.31 grams.

Heraldically this emblazoned shield can be described "Argent Butterfly volant en aiere on field Or". The device is linked with the Audley family who used the device as a familiar badge (rather than their heraldic badge: Gules fretty Or (red interlace on a gold field). The butterfly's can be seen on the battle pennon of the Audley family which was flown at the Battle of Blore Heath (1459) (during the War of the Roses) where James Tourchet (Lord Audley) fell in battle. At this time the Audley family had many lands in Staffordshire, Cheshire and North Shropshire. The findspot of this example is near to Blore Heath - although predates the battle by at least 150 years. The symbol of the butterfly in medieval thought is often linked with the psyche or soul - the colour white (argent / blanche) is also know for purity.

Other harness pendants have been recorded with moths or butterfly's similar to this - interestingly this holds a distribution associated with the landholdings of the Audley family - with a small concentration in Cheshire / North Shropshire.

Hale, Cheshire: LVPL1880 <a href="http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/6439">http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/6439</a>

Churchton -by-Aldford, Cheshire: LVPL-375DD7 <a href="http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/176621">http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/176621</a>

Long Melfor, Suffolk: SF-8BC685 <a href="http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/535343">http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/535343</a>

Osgodby, Lincolnshire : NLM-505AE6 <a href="http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/50435">http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/50435</a>

Maltby, South Yorkshire: NLM4677 <a href="http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/12139">http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/12139</a>

Similar devices can also be seen here

Gooderstone, Norfolk: SF8239 <a href="http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/34240">http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/34240</a>

Crondall, Hampshire: SUR-F76721 <a href="http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/156922">http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/156922</a>

An example has also been discovered at the excavations of a monastic site at Poulton, Cheshire.