Grand Hairy One

Stone Monolith from Tepoztlán, Mexico dated between 700 - 800 on display at the Regional Museum of Querétaro in Querétaro, Mexico

This monolith has been damaged over the years but it still retains features that suggest it represents Tláloc goddess of rain, thunder and lightning. While a number of groups settled in Querétaro during the early Medieval period, they shared religious beliefs and Tláloc was a common diety worshiped in Mexico.

Stone Carving from Querétaro, Mexico dated between 800 - 1000 on display at the Regional Museum of Querétaro in Querétaro, Mexico

This stone is cut into a spiral shape that is often linked to depictions or places of worship for the god Quetzalcoatl. The name translated from Nahuatl is Feathered Serpent as the god is often depicted as parge winged snake. Medieval Querétaro has few established settlements due to population migration of differing groups. Examples such as this could indicate how many of the groups had similarities in culure and identit, especially when it came to religion and belief.

Fountain Jet from Córdoba, Spain dated to the Late 10th Century on display at the National Archaeological Museum in Madrid, Spain

The body of this metal statue is hollow to allow water to enter through a hole in the belly so it can be spurted out out of the mouth of the deer. It was probably accompanied by other bronze animals to be part of a larger water feature. The deer is decorated in floral and plant motifs.

Boat Carving from Jarlshof, Scotland dated to the 10th Century on display at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, Scotland

The ship depicted here shows a large vessle with a steering oar, large sail and many oars. Such ships were tailored and built to fulfil certain roles such as warship, trader or ocean-crossing vessels. These ships were faster, more manoeuvrable than others and could withstand violent seas.

Jarlshof was a small Norse settlement in Shetland and other carvings on stone like this have been found there, some in the Pictish style. Shetland and Orkney were part of the Norðreyjar, the Northern Isles, part of the Kingdom of Norway.

Sword from Italy dated to the 17th Century on dislplay at the Gordon Highlanders Museum in Aberdeen, Scotland

In Spetmeber 1943, SOE agent Malcolm Munthe and his team rescued Benedetto Croce, Italy's leading anti-fascist senator and respected liberal philosopher and his family from Nazis troops. In thanks for this, Croce would later present Munthe with this Andrea Ferrara sword. Ferrara was a famed Italian swordsmith whose weapons were highly prised especially in 16th century Scotland. The method of his smithing continued into the 17th century as well.

Croce had the weapon inscribed, saying:

"With the true thanks of the Italians which fight against Fascism and which always loved British freedom and courage. To the British officers and men who saved them at Sorrento 22nd Sept 1943 led by Major Malcom Munthe of the Gordon Highlanders."

Rapier Sword from Solingen, Germany dated to 1640 on display at the Royal Armouries in London, England

The blade bears the name of Hermanus Keisser, one of the Keisser family of swordsmiths based in Solingen. Solingen was one of the centres for swords in the Holy Roman Empire and the blades were highly prized throughout Europe from the 17th century to the 18th century.