Saxon & Medieval — Late Medieval; 15th century
Dagger, rondel dagger
Rondel-dagger with a diamond-sectioned, double-edged blade. The blade has a maker's mark on both sides. Rondel-daggers are those where the pommel and guard are both disc-shaped, with the grip between them. The grip was usually made from wood or another organic material so frequently rotted away leaving the tang exposed, as can be seen on this dagger. Almost everyone carried a dagger in the medieval and Tudor periods. Well-dressed Londoners wore beautifully decorated daggers from Europe to signify their wealth and status. In 1517 the Cutlers' Company decreed that all daggers should bear the maker's personal mark so that 'yt maybe knowen who makeyth good & perfite blads'. The marks were recorded in a ledger book held by the City.
- Category:
- Saxon & Medieval
- Object ID:
- 80.156
- Object name:
- dagger, rondel dagger
- Object type:
- Artist/Maker:
- —
- Related people:
- Related events:
- Related places:
- Production date:
- Late Medieval; 15th century
- Material:
iron
- Measurements/duration:
- L (overall) 355 mm, L (blade) 250 mm, W 32 mm, L 355 mm, W 40 mm, D 47 mm (overall)
- Part of:
- —
- On display:
- —
- Record quality:
- 80%
- Part of this object:
- —
- Owner Status & Credit:
Permanent collection
- Copyright holder:
digital image © London Museum
- Image credit:
- —
- Creative commons usage:
- —
- License this image:
To license this image for commercial use, please contact the London Museum Picture Library.