1200-1600 AD. Medieval. Bronze ring with D-Shaped hoop, gently flaring shoulders and an oval bezel. The bezel bears incised decoration in the form of two crossed arrows over extended wings. Heraldry, or the use of an inherited coat of arms, was a means by which to display personal identity and familial relations. This tradition began c. 12th century AD in battlefield contexts were elites needed a symbol to display in order to be easily recognizable even when their faces were obscured by armour. By the 13th century AD this practice was adopted by nobles and knights who took immense pride in their family arms and colours. The heraldic ring was a key part of this personal branding as it allowed the owner to stamp their coat of arms on their correspondences. Good Condition. Size: D: 21.18mm / US: 11 5/8 / UK: X; 6.1g; Provenance: Obtained from a B.F; previously in a collection formed in the 1980s on the UK art market.