There are many personal everyday items in the Trust’s collection. These include buckles, strap terminals, scabbards, purse frames, shoes and belts. One of our more unusual discoveries was a set of wax writing tablets dating from the 14th century. These are match box sized and are complete with an iron stylus and decorated leather case. Their owner used them to jot down a curious mixture — a document in Latin, a set of accounts and a love poem in Middle English. Other rare finds include a pearl and garnet ring, a brooch made of twisted gold wire and a gold ring with a sapphire setting. We have found a number of personal seals. One depicts a small squirrel and has an inscription in Middle English, I CRAKE NOTIS, or in modern English ‘I crack nuts’.

A brooch made of twisted gold wire

Modern replica of the writing tablets showing their decorated leather pouch