File:Bell (FindID 470480-353331).jpg

English: Incomplete Medieval cast copper alloy spherical bell with an integral loop at the top and openwork central hemisphere. The loop is crudely cast with a circular hole through it (7mm in diameter) and a casting sprue visible on the top of the loop. The bell is approximately 50% intact, with the lower hemisphere missing due to breaks across the 8 circular sound holes around the central rib. The copper alloy has a high silver content, giving it a silvery appearance. Decorating the upper hemisphere are 4 heraldic crests, probably alternately an eagle and chevrons.

The bell has a diameter of 38mm and the walls are 2.3mm thick. It weights 26g.

Laura Burnett (FLO for Sussex) has done some reaserch into these objects and has identified two possibly identifications for the coats of arms: "An example from Suffolk complete with clapper suggests they are definitely bells (<a href="http://www.finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/195255">SF-A43191</a>) and several others have been recorded as such: <a href="http://www.finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/211870">NLM-FE7B62</a>, <a href="http://www.finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/192121">IOW-D712F1</a>, <a href="http://www.finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/119832">SOMDOR-0B1D95</a>, <a href="http://www.finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/108348">SF-BC7AB1</a>, SWYOR-F0F196. On these records it is recorded that the arms were identified by Edward Martin (SCCAS). These are probably the arms of Ralph de Monthermer, Earl of Gloucester and Hereford, and his first wife Joan of Acre (daughter of King Edward I and widow of Gilbert de Clare), who he married in 1297; she died in 1307. Ralph de Monthermer's arms are or, an eagle displayed vert, and the right hand half of the shield depicts half an eagle, Joan of Acre used the arms of Gilbert de Clare, her first husband, which were or, three chevrons gules, and the left side of the shield depicts half of three chevrons.

The bells have a close similarity to a range of cast copper-alloy lead filled steelyard weights of the late 13th century (see, for example <a href="http://www.finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/290285">SOM-FDCC33</a>) and the shield designs also echo those seen on the weights. It is therefore suggested they are, like the weights, the arms of Edmund (1249-1300), Earl of Cornwall, the double-headed eagle, the symbol of the Holy Roman Empire, following his election as King of the Romans (ibid.). impaled with his wife Margaret de Clare. They married in 1272 suggesting a terminus post quem".