Glazed floor tile from excavations by Winchester Museums Service Archaeology Section at the site of Hyde Abbey, Winchester, Hampshire in 1998.

Floor tile fragment

Medieval, 13th century

Found by Winchester Museums Archaeology Section at the Hyde Abbey Community Excavation, Winchester, Hampshire in 1998

Fragment of a glazed inlaid floor tile, most of the glaze worn off. The design features a double-headed eagle, a common symbol in heraldry. The double-headed eagle was the emblem of Richard of Cornwall, King of the Romans (1257-72), the emperor-elect of the Holy Roman Empire and the brother of King Henry III. This design of tile is widespread in South Hampshire.