Copper Alloy & Iron Knife Handle, c.1550, from Pudding Farm, Headbourne Worthy, Hampshire
Copper-alloy and iron possible knife handle with iron, circa 1550, from Pudding Farm, Headbourne Worthy, Hampshire.
The handle is subrectangular in plan and in section. One end is pointed and the other is flat. The flat end is slightly beveled and has iron staining. The handle is inscribed with lombardic lettering on both sides. One side reads POVLET. The other side reads GYLES +.
it is possible this knife belonged to the Gyles Poulet/Paulet who was the fourth son of William Paulet, 1st Marquis of Winchester. Giles was born after 1521 and died in 1580, so if this is his knife-handle it must be of dated to the mid 16th century.
Image Credit: © Portable Antiquities Scheme, 2025
