NHER 40117 (Find Spot record) - Multi-period finds

The Norfolk Heritage Explorer is a filtered version of the Norfolk HER intended for casual research. Please to consult the full record.

See also further .

Summary

Metal-detecting at this location between 1994 and 2023 recovered Roman and medieval coins; a medieval/post-medieval token and a range of other, Roman to post-medieval metal objects. These metal finds include Roman brooches; Early Saxon brooches; a Middle Saxon pin and box or casket mount; Middle/Late Saxon strap ends (one with silver inlay); Late Saxon strap ends and a stirrup-strap mount; medieval to post-medieval dress accessories; a medieval candle holder, harness mount, intact mirror case and monumental brass fragments; a medieval/post-medieval sword scabbard chape and a post-medieval rowel spur. At least one of the medieval brass fragments comes from a monument to William de Grey in St Peter's Church (NHER 8945) - it fits perfectly into a gap in the stonework and matches adjacent scrolls.

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Location

Map sheet TL99NW
Civil Parish MERTON, BRECKLAND, NORFOLK

1994 to 1999. Metal-detecting.
Most finds from north part of field:
Early Saxon headplate and bow of long brooch (S1).
Middle Saxon pin.
Medieval strap end and intact mirror case.
Medieval/post-medieval lead Boy Bishop token.
Post-medieval rowel spur.
See list in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 26 January 2004. Expanded by P. Watkins (HES), 14 February 2026.

1994 to 1999. Metal detecting.
Fragment of one of missing scrolls from monumental brass of William de Grey (in NHER 8945).
See description and (S3) in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 25 May 2004.

1994-1999. Metal-detecting.
See NHER 40118 for details of finds known to have been recovered from the fields recorded as NHER 40116 and NHER 40117 during this time period but which were not kept separate. This large, mixed assemblage includes Iron Age/Roman, Roman, Early Saxon, Middle Saxon, Late Saxon medieval and post-medieval objects. Items of particular note include a Roman kiln bar and a flue tile fragment.
P. Watkins (HES), 19 April 2020.

Before 20 May 2004. Metal detecting.
2 Roman Colchester two-piece brooches.
Early Saxon small-long brooch.
Middle Saxon remarkable gilt mount from box or casket (S2).
Middle Saxon/Late Saxon strap end.
2 Late Saxon strap ends.
3 medieval coins, 1 jetton, a lozengiform brooch, buckle, strap plate, harness mount and double candleholder.
Medieval/post-medieval sword chape.
See lists in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 23 July 2004.

May-December 2004. Metal-detecting. [1].
Late Saxon stirrup-strap mount.
Medieval monumental brass fragment.
Information from PAS import. See also list in file.
E. McDonald (HES), 1 May 2019.

March 2023. Metal-detecting. [2].
Middle/Late Saxon strap end with silver and niello inlay.
Information from PAS import.
This strap end was submitted for consideration as Treasure (Ref: 2023 T1204).
P. Watkins (HES), 8 August 2025.

April 2023. Metal-detecting. [2].
1 Roman coin.
Information from PAS import.
P. Watkins (HES), 4 March 2024.

  • --- Photograph: 2004. KTZ 23-26, Early Saxon imported brooch..
  • --- Photograph: 2004. KTZ 27-29, Medieval mirror case..
  • --- Photograph: I & RS. Digital finds image.
  • --- Photograph: NCC Find Identification and Recording Service. c. 1975-2000. HES Find Polaroid Collection. HES Find Polaroid Collection. polaroid. black and white.
  • --- Photograph: NLA. Finds Photograph.
  • --- Secondary File: Secondary File.
  • --- Unpublished Document: Pestell, T.. 2004. A Gilded Bronze Mount from Merton, Norfolk.
  • <S1> Illustration: White, S.. 2004. Drawing of an Early Saxon head plate and bow of a brooch.. Film. 2:1.
  • <S2> Illustration: White, S.. 2004. Drawing of a Middle Saxon furniture fitting.. Film. 2:1.
  • <S3> Article in Serial: The Portable Antiquities Scheme. 2004. Monumental Discovery. The Portable Antiquities Scheme East of England, Newsletter 2. p 1. p 1.
  • BROOCH (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 270 AD to 270 AD)
  • BROOCH (Early Saxon - 411 AD to 650 AD)
  • FURNITURE FITTING (Middle Saxon - 651 AD to 850 AD)
  • FURNITURE FITTING (Middle Saxon - 651 AD to 850 AD)
  • PIN (Middle Saxon - 651 AD to 850 AD)
  • STRAP END (Middle Saxon - 651 AD to 850 AD)
  • STRAP END (Middle Saxon to Late Saxon - 750 AD to 950 AD)
  • STRAP END (Late Saxon - 851 AD to 1065 AD)
  • STIRRUP (Late Saxon to Medieval - 1000 AD to 1100 AD)
  • BRASS (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • BROOCH (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • BUCKLE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • CANDLE HOLDER (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • COIN (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • HARNESS MOUNT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • JETTON (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • MIRROR CASE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • SCABBARD (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • STRAP END (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • STRAP FITTING (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • TOKEN (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • ROWEL SPUR (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • SCABBARD (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • TOKEN (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)

Related NHER Records (0)

Record last edited

Feb 14 2026 1:10AM

Comments and Feedback

Your feedback is welcome; if you can provide any new information about this record, please contact the Norfolk Historic Environment Record.