Breverl

A 'breverl' is type of protective amulet - ­ it derives from the medieval word breve (letter) ‘brevia’ (Latin), ‘briefs’ (English) or ‘brevi’ (Italian) - and is filled with various religious or magical components: a religious statement of protection (a rubric) followed by short prayer formulas or holy names, a sheet depicting images of various saints and a central composite amulet consisting of a variety of small objects and materials, blessings, amulets from pilgrimages, the Cross of St Ulrich, Scheyrerkreuz, devotional pictures for swallowing, seeds and medicinal herbs. Most briefs are presumably from Franciscan monasteries.