Manifesting fealty or status? Breaking the Code of a late Medieval Dagger Chape from Wronki, Greater Poland

In a highly individualized late medieval chivalric culture, personal emblems were often used to decorate elements of combat equipment. During the excavations conducted in the Market Square in Wronki, Greater Poland, a dagger chape with a escutcheon with chevron charge was discovered. In the light of comparative and typological research it can be dated to the second half of the 14th century. Thanks to X-ray fluorescence analyzes, we know that it was probably made of iron or copper sheet and tinned. Due to the widespread use of the chevron charge, the heraldic analysis does not allow to determine the possible owner of the artefact. The discovery of the chape in the urban location may indicate its link to a manifestation of fealty or status.