This remarkable heraldic horse mount, dating to the 14th century, was discovered in the Surrey Hills by Murray using his Equinox 900. It was found on land we had previously detected last summer, but with the recent wetter ground conditions allowing for deeper signals, this latest visit proved far more productive, culminating in this fantastic find.
Heraldic horse mounts, or pendants, were decorative fittings attached to a horse’s harness, typically worn by knights or individuals of status during the medieval period. Often displaying coats of arms, symbols or family insignia, they served both as identification in battle or tournament and as a display of wealth and allegiance.
Following careful cleaning, much of the original detail has been revealed, showing what is most likely the coat of arms of King Edward II, who reigned from 1307 to 1327. The design appears to depict three lions passant guardant, a heraldic term describing lions walking to the side with their heads turned to face the viewer, symbolising both action and vigilance. Above this, an embattled border can be seen, adding further strength to the identification.
You can see the transformation in the slider below, showing the mount as found, alongside the overlaid design highlighting these features.
The mount would originally have been secured to a leather strap on a horse’s harness via a rivet or stud through the surviving hole. Its presence in a Surrey field may point to nearby medieval activity, perhaps a route used for travel, training, or even local musters, or simply a lost item from a passing rider.
A photograph of the mount has been submitted to the Heraldry Society, and it is currently awaiting formal identification by our Finds Liaison Officer through the Portable Antiquities Scheme. We look forward to updating this entry as more information becomes available.
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