I had no idea what this was when I found it, and thought it was some kind of weird furniture handle. However, local expert Brian Read congratulated me at our monthly Club meeting, saying it was one of the best examples he'd ever seen. 'Great', I replied. 'What exactly is it?' He gently explained that it was the central fitting of a medieval purse, and then suggested I return to try to find the coins that were probably in it when it was lost. It sounded like a great idea, but unfortunately I have so far found none. However, the farmer assures me that the area is due to get ploughed again in the Spring of 2006.