TRINKETS & WARES

During Medieval times most coins were made by hand. An iron punch called a die was used to stamp out a pattern on one side of the coin. Two dies were needed for each coin, one showing the 'heads...

On 15th June 1215, the English barons forced King John to seal under oath the Magna Carta (Great Charter) at Runnymede, near Windsor. This document itemized the barons' complaints and intended...

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 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 Keep Calm and Carry On poster was initially produced by the Ministry of Information, in 1939, at the beginning of the Second World War. It was intended to be distributed in order to strengthen...

The first invaders of England were the Celts, who began crossing the English Channel around 500 BC. The Celts, a warlike people, were divided into various tribes. Celtic artists used combinations of...

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,...

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...

This shield shaped pendant 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...