"C'è qui (in Normandia) un'abbondanza di corsi d'acqua pieni di pesce e di foreste ricche di selvaggina che si prestano meravigliosamente alla caccia con il falco. La regione è fertile di grano e altri frutti, abbonda di pascoli per nutrire il bestiame (...)".
La vita quotidiana nelle terre del regno normanno non era caratterizzata solamente dalle ambizioni della nobiltà, nonostante i numerosi eventi drammatici e i conflitti dinastici. La Normandia e l'Inghilterra erano paesi fertili, e gran parte della popolazione viveva di agricoltura e artigianato. Entrambe le regioni prosperarono tra il X e il XII secolo. Tanto quanto la vita nei campi, l’artigianato e il servizio militare facevano parte della quotidianità normanna anche diversi tipi di passatempi ludici.
Plessis-Grimoult, beginning of the 11th c.
Iron
Caen, Musée de Normandie, Inv. D.87.2.9
Tongs were an important tool for the work of a blacksmith. He could use them to make tools, utensils or accessories made from metal – a precious commodity. With the tongs, objects could be fixed and securely gripped for further processing.
Grimbosq, 1st half of the 11th c.
Iron
Caen, Musée de Normandie, Inv. D.85.6.153
This sickle was probably not used for working in the fields, but rather for weeding in a smaller garden. This is indicated by the lack of a serrated edge in this tool.
Plessis-Grimoult, 11th c.
Iron
Caen, Musée de Normandie, Inv. D.87.2.10
Awls played an important role especially in the working and processing of leather. They were used to pierce the material, which was made easy by the hard tip. They were suitable for making clothing or other accessories such as horse harnesses.
Grimbosq, 11th c.
Copper alloy
Caen, Musée de Normandie, Inv. D.85.6.140
Tweezers are among the objects that have not changed in their function and appearance since antiquity. These tweezers were used for body care and testify to the importance of personal hygiene for people from the earliest times.
Rubercy, 2nd half of the 12th c.
Copper alloy
Caen, Musée de Normandie, Inv. D.87.1.12
In the 12th century, thimbles already had the same function as they have today. Placed on the finger, they protect against painful needle pricks from the needle tip whilst sewing.
Rubercy, 2nd half of the 12th c.
Iron
Caen, Musée de Normandie, Inv. D.87.1.2
Protecting one’s possessions has always been important. This key probably once locked a chest in which important possessions were stored. The function of the key and in this case also the shape have hardly changed over the time.
Plessis-Grimoult, end of the 10th c.
Iron
Caen, Musée de Normandie, Inv. D.87.2.11
The length of the shaft suggests that this rivet was used as a fastener on a thick leather belt or was employed as a reinforcing element on a piece of wood.
Rubercy, 2nd half of 12th c.
Ceramic
Caen, Musée de Normandie, Inv. D.87.1.149
This lamp was once filled with animal fat, in which a wick was stuck. This is suggested by the traces of soot. The pointed underside of the lamp served to place it securely on lose ground such as sand. There, it was used as a light source.
Grimbosq, 11th c.
Copper alloy
Caen, Musée de Normandie, Inv. D.85.6.148
The ends of this ring are decorated with animal heads, perhaps snakes. The size of the diameter of the ring suggests that it was once worn by a man.
Rubercy, 2nd half of the 12th c.
Gold
Caen, Musée de Normandie, Inv. D.87.1.30
A person of a high living standard once owned the gold ring buckle. It may have belonged to a garment or might have served as a fastener for a belt or a shoe.
Rubercy, 2nd half of the 12th c.
Copper alloy
Caen, Musée de Normandie, Inv. D.87.1.27
The pendant with cross ornamentation probably once adorned a necklace. Maybe it served as a medallion.
Rubercy, 2nd half of the 12th c.
Copper alloy
Caen, Musée de Normandie, Inv. D.87.1.96
This small and finely crafted needle with a conical head could have been used as a dress accessory for fastening or as a decorative element in the hair. However, a use in needlework cannot be ruled out either.
Grimbosq, 11th c.
Bronze
Caen, Musée de Normandie, Inv. D.85.6.143
This brooch, which once closed the robe of a rich person, was made in a Carolingian craft tradition. The empty cells on the surface of the brooch were originally filled with garnet or enamel inlays.
Rubercy, 2nd half of the 12th c.
Iron, brass
Caen, Musée de Normandie, Inv. D.87.1.43
This spur is decorated with gold-plated copper rings. This makes it an object of luxury. The long, straight spike neck was used to control the horse by applying pressure to the tip.
Grimbosq, 1st half of the 11th c.
Iron
Caen, Musée de Normandie, Inv. D.85.6.10
The horseshoe has not lost its function to this day. Placed under the hooves of a horse, it still serves as protection. Horses – if highbred or not – were very valuable and expensive animals in the Middle Ages.
Grimbosq, 1st half of the 11th c.
Iron
Caen, Musée de Normandie, Inv. D.85.6.41
This buckle served as a fastener and was attached to the bridle of a horse.
Rubercy, 2nd half of the 12th c.
Iron
Caen, Musée de Normandie, Inv. D.87.1.56
Leather straps or harnesses belonging to the bridle were buckled into the ring snaffle. With their help, the horse could be controlled and led.
Rubercy, end of 12th/beginning of 13th c.
Copper alloy, gold
Caen, Musée de Normandie, Inv. D.87.1.50
This pendant with openwork cross ornamentation served as a decorative element and was attached to a bridle, a saddle strap or to the reins. This ornamental motif was very popular and can also be found on the reverse of ducal coins.
Grimbosq, 1st half of the 11th c.
Iron
Caen, Musée de Normandie, Inv. D.85.6.151
Knives were multifunctional tools and were used for various purposes. The shape of this knife indicates that it was used as a hunting knife and not as a domestic tool.
Rubercy, 2nd half of the 12th c. (7–8); Grimbosq, 11th c. (9)
Iron
Caen, Musée de Normandie, Inv. D.87.1.39 (7); Inv. D.87.1.35 (8); Inv. D.87.11.3 (9)
Arrowheads and crossbow bolts were not only used in battles, but also in the everyday life of a castle: for guarding, for hunting, for target practice or for games. When a castle was abandoned, arrowheads and crossbow bolts were often left behind. In contrast, heavy weapons such as lances or swords were considered too valuable materially and more important. Therefore, they were stored more carefully and removed when the site was vacated.
Rubercy, 2nd half of the 12th c. (1–2); Caen, 11th/12th c. (3)
Ceramic (1); stone (2); ceramic (3)
Caen, Musée de Normandie, Inv. D.87.1.57 (1); Inv. D.87.1.10 (2); Inv. D.85.3.14 (3)
These vessels were important for everyday life and for cooking. While the two pots (1, 3) were used for cooking, the small stone bowl (2) was probably used as mortar for reducing and crushing spices and herbs.
Grimbosq, 11th c.
Copper alloy
Caen, Musée de Normandie, Inv. D.85.6.55
This game piece may have originally belonged to a chess game. Chess was a popular strategy game played mainly by people from the upper classes. Chess sets were produced in simple or in precious and elaborate designs.
Rubercy, 2nd half of the 12th c.
Bone
Caen, Musée de Normandie, Inv. D.87.1.25
Dice games are a pastime that were popular throughout the ages and all over the world. At the same time, dice games required the capability to count. Players had to count, add up winning points and develop strategies.
Rubercy, 2nd half of the 12th c.
Copper alloy
Caen, Musée de Normandie, Inv. D.87.1.33
The use of this small bell cannot be established beyond any doubt. It may have been part of a toy for children. According to its size, the bell, however, could also have been attached to the collar of an animal.