From the period of Charlemagne and the founding of the Holy Roman Empire by the Franks which led to the subjugation of, initially, Northern Italy and Saxony, and eventually all of Western Europe. Accepting Christianity was a condition of surrender and the wearing of small crosses indicated submission to Holy Roman Empire rule. This example is bronze, 1 1/4" height including the suspension loop, and symmetrical with expanded terminal beams and depressed center.
