Medieval Peytrel
A medieval peytrel was a chest-girt or breast-band from the harness of a horse
Last year, when archaeologist from Rubicon Heritage Services on behalf of Cork County Council, dug out a remarkable leather strap at Caherduggan Castle near Doneraile in Cork County, they thought it was a belt meant to sit on the hips of a knight and holding a scabbard.
After conservation and detailed examination, the find is regarded as even more exceptional. It transpired that the leather strap, which is nearly one meter in length must have been a chest-girth, also called a breast-band or peytrel from the harness of a horse.
The leather strap holds 36 surviving gilt, hinged, copper-alloy suspension-mounts and pendants, each of which portrays a shield with a lion, counter-rampant, in relief. At each end is a buckle
Read the rest of the story and see the many pictures in
Medieval Histories 2012 11:2
Read more about the pendants, which were hung from the petrels
Marcella Pattyn
