KEY RINGS

The Vikings were seafaring people from Denmark, Norway and Sweden. In texts such as the Icelandic sagas, the phrase 'to go Viking' implies participation in a raiding activity or piracy. The Viking...

The lion and tiger are the largest members of the cat family. They live about 20-25 years in captivity and 15 - 20 years in the wild. Lions are found in Africa and in the forests of India. Most lions...

The Vikings were seafaring people from Denmark, Norway and Sweden. In texts such as the Icelandic sagas, the phrase 'to go Viking' implies participation in a raiding activity or piracy. The Viking...

The word knight means 'mounted warrior'. By the 100s a code of chivalry had been developed by which knights were expected to live. A knight was expected to defend his Christian faith, to behave...

The horse is a sizeable mammal and is one of the seven modern species of the genus Equus. It has long played an important role in transport, whether ridden or used for pulling a chariot, carriage,...

This shield shaped key-ring is decorated with three heraldic lions. It is a replica of a medieval pendant that would have been gilded and enameled. These pendants were worn on the harnesses of horses...

Henry VIII became king of England in 1509. Henry renounced the papal supremacy and proclaimed himself Head of the Church of England and dissolved the monasteries. He had six wives in his quest for a...

Handcuffs are restraint devices designed to secure an individual's wrists close together. They comprise two parts, linked together by a chain. The early handcuffs would have been used to ensure...

The Hoplite was a Greek soldier who went into battle in dress and equipment of their own choosing. This included a bronze shield called a Hoplon and a Gladius that was a small, maneuverable sword...

Owls were also popular in jewellery and coinage as Athena was the patron goddess of Athens and her symbol was the owl. This pewter Greek owl is made from lead-free pewter and is supplied on a...

The Corinthian helmet originated in ancient Greece and took its name from the state of Corinth. It was a helmet made of bronze and was used by the Greek Hoplite soldiers. This Corinthian Greek...

Greek mythology and history appear in Greek jewellery designs. This can be seen in jewellery portraying their deities, people and animals from heroic legends. Owls were also popular in jewellery and...