description Dunstable Swan Jewel Overview
The Dunstable Swan Jewel is a medieval English livery badge fashioned as a swan from gold covered with opaque white enamel. Dating from around 1400, it is fitted with a chain and crown and is associated with the heraldic swan emblem used by prominent English noble families. The jewel, found near Dunstable in Bedfordshire, is held by the British Museum and is a rare surviving example of elite medieval personal insignia.
help Dunstable Swan Jewel FAQ
What is the Dunstable Swan Jewel?
The Dunstable Swan Jewel is a medieval English livery badge fashioned in the shape of a swan. It is intricately made from gold covered in opaque white enamel and features an attached chain and crown.
When was the Dunstable Swan Jewel made and where was it found?
Experts date the jewel to around the year 1400, placing it in the late medieval period of English history. It was discovered in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, which is how it got its name.
Which noble families are associated with the swan emblem on the jewel?
The heraldic swan emblem was prominently used by several powerful English noble families, most notably the de Bohuns and the House of Lancaster. Henry IV and his descendants adopted the chained swan as one of their royal badges.
Where is the Dunstable Swan Jewel currently displayed?
The jewel is part of the permanent collection of the British Museum in London. It is highly valued by historians as one of the finest surviving examples of medieval goldsmithing and enamelwork.
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