This gold plaque, likely of Saxon origin, depicts Saint John the Evangelist as an eagle-headed man. The eagle is a common motif in Christianity, often representing Saint John in the same way that, for example, the other three Evangelists are depicted with angel, lion, and ox. The eagle in particular, however, is also an important part of Norse mythology. According to Norse legend, atop the World Tree (another common mythological archetype) sits a giant eagle, and upon the eagle's brow perches the hawk Vedrfölnir. It is believed that the hawk represents the knowledge and wisdom of the eagle, flying out to acquire new information and bringing it back to the unnamed eagle. Saint John's gospel is the fourth and final gospel of the New Testament in the Christian Bible, and as such depicts the Christ narrative from a higher or more wise point of view than the other three Evangelists' gospels.