Militaria / Weaponry

During the archaeological investigation in Lubrza, a relatively large number of military paraphernalia was found. Included are elements of arms and armor, namely a plate from a coat of plates, 3 copper alloy mail rings, an awl-pike head, a spear- or javelin head, 5 axe fragments, 2 caltrops, 3 copper alloy ferrules of dagger sheath, and more than 110 bolt and arrow heads. Regarding equestrian equipment, the following were found: 4 stirrups, 8 spur fragments and 8 spur fittings, 6 buckles from a horse harness, 9 elements of bits, and 15 horseshoe fragments. The elements of knightly equipment represent important aspects of medieval culture, while testifying to the lifestyle of the owners of the site, their personality and implied symbolism, as well as the level of local blacksmithing. The analyzed collection of military items from Lubrza is extremely interesting evidence of the armament resources of a small stronghold between the second half of the 13th and 14th century. It was probably maintained for the needs of the owner and his small entourage. These include items that could be made locally (maybe even on site), but also objects of a higher class, probably belonging to the affluent inhabitant of the motte-and-bailey castle, perhaps even its owner or governor. This testifies to a knightly culture of the highest rank, typical of the elites of the world at that time. It is possible that the impact marks found on some of the bolt heads record a siege of the castle never recorded in written sources, or bare witness of an exercise by a local armed crew; however, due to the lack of detailed context for these objects, it is difficult to infer as to their real purpose.