ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses medieval secular and sacred metalwork from Wales, in the light of discoveries. It reviews sacred metalwork with particular reference to two handbells from Llangwnnadl and Llangenau, and fragments of reliquary shrines from the early medieval kingdoms of Brycheiniog and Gwynedd. The chapter examines two categories of metalwork which help to illuminate the visible nature of Christianity in Wales between the 5th and 11th centuries: secular metalwork bearing Christian symbolism and sacred metalwork. Evidence for the adoption of Christian symbolism within Anglo-Saxon metalworking traditions on artefacts circulating at the boundary of England and Wales is provided by the St Arvans mount. A limited amount of early medieval metalwork from Wales provides tangible evidence for the famous 12th-century observation by Giraldus Cambrensis that the Welsh showed great respect to churches, to men in orders, the relics of saints, bishops' crooks, bells, holy books and the Cross itself.
