File:A medieval shield shaped harness pendant (FindID 458648).jpg

English: A cast copper alloy, medieval, shield shaped harness pendant dating from AD1250-1400. The device is of three fleur-de lys on a red background, separated by a band of tessellated U shapes alternately blue and a missing metallic colour, probably silver. Much of the red enamel on the upper and lower thirds of the pendant remains in place; that on the central section appears to have been dark blue. The remains of a suspension loop are in place in the centre of the upper edge of the shield, at ninety degrees to the main body of the pendant; the upper part of the loop has broken away and is missing. Some gilt survives on the base of the loop. The pendant has a patchy, light brown patina. It is 39.2mm long, 23.7mm wide and 6.3mm thick. It weighs 9.54gm. For reference, see London Museum, Medieval Catalogue, page 118.

These arms may be the armorial bearing of William de Cantelupe, which are listed in C R Humpherey-Smith, Anglo-Norman Armory as "gules a fess vair between three fleurs-de lys or". According to <a href="http://www.falchion.org/history/cant_heraldry.php,">http://www.falchion.org/history/cant_heraldry.php,</a> vair represents squirrel fur. It consists of alternating (tessellated) bell-shapes of blue and white. These are said to denote squirrel pelts - the white being the belly, and the blue representing the grey back. A squirrel pelt tends to be this shape, with the larger back legs, and hind quarters, and the narrower torso, forelegs and head. The pendant was found near York and as the de Cantelupe family held land at Ilkeston in Derbyshire from 1285 to 1375, it is possible that this pendant belonged to a member of the family or of the de Cantelupe household.