Spur Medieval spur from the site of the Battle of Towton
Object number
LDSAL127
Production date
15th century
Material
metal
copper alloy
copper alloy
Dimensions
height: 4.1cm
width: 13.9cm
depth: 10cm
width: 13.9cm
depth: 10cm
Location
Burlington House -
Inscriptions
Inscription content
en loial amour tout mon coer
References
Reference (free text)
David Gaimster, Sarah McCarthy, and Bernard Nurse, eds., Making History, Antiquaries in Britain, 1707-2007 (London: Royal Academy of Arts, 2007), p. 118, no. 82.Illustration, p. 118.
Reference (free text)
Archaeologia, Vol. XI, Pl. XX.
Ornately engraved bronze-gilt spur found on Towton Field, Yorkshire, dated to the fifteenth century. The shank carrying the rowel is inscribed on the outer edge in French : 'en loial amour tout mon coer', which translates to 'you have all my heart with loyal love'.
The spur was exhibited at the Society in November 1792 by the Revd. John Brand, the Society's resident Secretary. He records that it was found on Towton Field, the site of the Battle of Towton in Yorkshire. The battle took place on Palm Sunday (29 March) 1461 when Edward, Duke of York, met his Lancastrian foes in what is reputedly the bloodiest clash of the Wars of the Roses. These were a series of civil wars fought in medieval England from 1455 to 1485 between the Houses of Lancaster and York. Edward's victory at Towton led to his coronation in June as Edward IV. The spur has been dated to the first half of the fifteenth century, so it could well have been worn, and lost, during the conflict.
The shank carrying to the rowel is ornately engraved and is inscribed on the outer edge with a motto in French : en loial amour tout mon coer, which means 'you have all my heart with loyal love'. Spurs with inscriptions are unusual. In this context it may perhaps be read as a pledge of loyalty rather than (as on the more more common posy rings of the period) of love.
The shank carrying to the rowel is ornately engraved and is inscribed on the outer edge with a motto in French : en loial amour tout mon coer, which means 'you have all my heart with loyal love'. Spurs with inscriptions are unusual. In this context it may perhaps be read as a pledge of loyalty rather than (as on the more more common posy rings of the period) of love.