Sword Pommel with the Arms of Pierre de Dreux, Duke of Brittany and Earl of Richmond (MET 38.60)
Part of the base of a sword, this pommel is one of the few objects that can be definitively linked to a historical crusader. It was crafted for Pierre de Dreux, the Duke of Brittany and the Earl of Richmond. Pierre was captured during the Seventh Crusade in Egypt in 1250. Later ransomed and released, he died during his return journey to France.
The pommel features a dual-sided design. One side of the pommel features Pierre’s coat of arms, which contains the arms of Dreux as well as that of Brittany, a title that Pierre obtained through his marriage to the Duchess Alix of Brittany. The reverse side of the pommel shows a large red cross, a common crusader motif. This cross symbolizes the wielder's commitment to the crusader cause. This side also features vines, which symbolize the life and vitality of the cross.
