Belts were important garment features during the Medieval Period. They served practical functions, such as fastening tunics and holding weapons, but the material and decorations also reflected the social status of the owner. Buckles are thus one of the most common types of metal artefact to be found during excavations of medieval sites. This buckle was found in Britain and displays the fine Norman Romanesque metalwork of the area. The surviving Norman art from Britain tends to take the form of stone- and metalwork, such as belt fittings, and they share features similar to those of the cultures they conquered.
Romanesque art began to appear in Europe around 1000 AD, not giving way to the Gothic style until the 12th – 14th century (though this depends on the region). The styles and techniques used in the Romanesque period are similar to those of the Byzantine Empire. Objects of important practical use, such as signet rings and belt buckles, were turned into fine jewellery, with buckles being made from precious metal and decorated with precious stones and pearls.
