Ring

On medieval jewellery, love and affection were frequently expressed in inscriptions. Rings so inscribed are known as 'posy' rings (from 'poesy', or poetry). Such inscriptions can be in Latin or in French, both languages fairly widely understood or spoken by the elite in Western Europe. Love inscriptions often repeat each other, which suggests that goldsmiths used stock phrases. Perhaps the most commonly found inscription is 'Amor Vincit Omnia', a motto found on a brooch worn by the flirtatious Prioress in Chaucer's Prologue to the 'Canterbury Tales', written around 1390.

'Ave Maria gracia plena', the salutation used by the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary is also commonly found on rings, purse-mounts and other small, personal items and may have had a magical or prophylactic intention.