Iron, 16.67 grams, 128.49 mm. 11th-12th century AD. A standard form of early medieval knife, formed as a broad triangular-section blade with a shallow curvature where the edge rises to meet the back, and narrowing to a spiked tang for insertion into a wooden, antler or horn handle. This blade-shape remained in use into the later mediaeval period, but with the more common strip-tang which was held between two wooden or antler plates and riveted. Reference: cf. London Museum Medieval Catalogue 1940, reprinted Ipswich, 1993, pl.XI(10). Very fine condition. Provenance: found Hertfordshire, England.