NORTH EUROPEAN, SECOND QUARTER 17TH CENTURY

THE CURIOUS INSCRIPTION ON THIS CUTLERY TRANSLATES AS JOHN VII 872. THE REIGN OF POPE JOHN VIII STARTED IN 872, HE STANDS AS ONE OF THE ABLEST PONTIFS OF THE NINTH CENTURY, HE FACED DANGER FROM ALL SIDES: MUSLIMS IN THE SOUTH, BARBARIANS IN THE NORTH. AT THE TIME OF RELIGEOUS CRISIS AND WAR THAT BORE DOWN ON EUROPE IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF THE 17TH CENTURY, THE MEMORY OF POPE JOHN THE VIIITH WAS PROBABLY REASSURING TO A FAITHFUL CATHOLIC.