Glazed floor tile from excavations by Winchester Museums Service Archaeology Section at the site of Hyde Abbey, Winchester, Hampshire in 1995.

Floor tile

Medieval, 13th-14th century

Found by Winchester Museums Archaeology Section at the Hyde Abbey Community Excavation, Winchester, Hampshire in 1995

A nearly complete inlaid floor tile. Any glaze appears to have worn off. This tile was scored to some depth, so that it could have been broken easily in two, if necessary, to create two triangular-shaped tiles. Variants of the fleur-de-lys design are commonly found on medieval tiles. As a symbol, the fleur-de-lys appeared on the French coat of arms, as well as that of English monarchs from the time of Edward III. The three petals of the heraldic design might also represent the Christian Trinity.