Pictures From The Past
Treasure Hunting magazine|September 2019

Memorial Church Brasses are one of those rare types of an artifact that exciting, even when you know they will most likely be found as fragments.

Hopenscope
Pictures From The Past

Memorial Church Brasses

Memorial Church Brasses are one of those rare types of an artifact that exciting, even when you know they will most likely be found as fragments. The metal they are manufactured from is lowly ‘latten’ – an alloy of copper, tin, and zinc and as well as being fragmentary, there is a chance they might have been defaced or damaged when removed from their original setting. That said, any recovery of a memorial church brass fragment should be held in the highest esteem. These are rare pieces, though thousands exist on the floors and walls of churches and abbeys throughout Europe.

Sadly, many more than the three thousand knowns pre-1700 UK examples have been destroyed or lost. England’s earliest example (from Ashford, Kent) dates from 1282 (Fig.1) and features the head of an unknown priest. Originally, they were an addition to the centuries-old fashion of inscribed stone slabs that marked the graves of the more wealthy in society. What started out as simple brass crosses on mosaic backgrounds, evolved into faces and then whole bodies.

Snap-Shots into the Middle Ages These snap-shots into the middle ages are invaluable for their depictions of the costume of their era, their clothing accessories and jewelry. Knights are depicted wearing the cutting-edge armor of the day. The courtly ladies are adorned with the latest fashion, and we must remember that the now dull colors of the walked-on memorials were once bright with enameled reds, yellows and blues. Though many follow a standard ‘stock’ design which was created from common themes, some were bespoke and were expensive for the wealthy patrons commissioning them.

This story is from the September 2019 edition of Treasure Hunting magazine.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the September 2019 edition of Treasure Hunting magazine.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM TREASURE HUNTING MAGAZINEView All
New Detector Network – ‘A Treasure Unearthed for Detectorists'
Treasure Hunting magazine

New Detector Network – ‘A Treasure Unearthed for Detectorists'

www.detectornetwork.com is a new online platform that has recently been launched for both beginners and experienced detectorists to share their finds, advice and learn even more about this exciting hobby.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 2020
Only a Bit of Lead
Treasure Hunting magazine

Only a Bit of Lead

As in common with most people, when asked if they have found anything, the reply can often be “Oh, only a bit of lead.”

time-read
5 mins  |
September 2020
My Great Uncle Joseph's Anglo-Saxon Sword
Treasure Hunting magazine

My Great Uncle Joseph's Anglo-Saxon Sword

My Great Uncle Joseph’s Anglo-Saxon Sword

time-read
3 mins  |
September 2020
Roman Lead Ingot Update
Treasure Hunting magazine

Roman Lead Ingot Update

I would just like to update readers of Treasure Hunting magazine with some further information about the Roman lead ingot I found back in September 2019.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 2020
The Westbury Sub-Mendip Roman Hoard
Treasure Hunting magazine

The Westbury Sub-Mendip Roman Hoard

The Westbury Sub-Mendip Roman Hoard

time-read
7 mins  |
September 2020
The Family Hoard
Treasure Hunting magazine

The Family Hoard

It was the end of the second week of the school summer holidays in 2019.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 2020
Remembering the 1970s
Treasure Hunting magazine

Remembering the 1970s

Remembering the 1970s

time-read
10+ mins  |
September 2020
No More Moon Boots?
Treasure Hunting magazine

No More Moon Boots?

In more than four decades of detecting, the weather and varying soil conditions have all had a huge influence on the level of my enjoyment of this noble hobby.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 2020
My A-Z of Detecting
Treasure Hunting magazine

My A-Z of Detecting

Part 1: A-G

time-read
10+ mins  |
September 2020
Lost and Found?
Treasure Hunting magazine

Lost and Found?

There have been several instances over my long detecting career where, not only has it has been a delight to be able to help people who have lost things, but also a great thrill when such losses are returned to their owners. I have several memories of such occurrences.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 2020