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Some 97 pieces of metalwork, weighing 2084g, were recovered during excavation at Jesus College as part of the refurbishment programme of Chapel Court, and include respectively eight each copper alloy and lead objects, the remainder consisting of iron. Only diagnostic items are described below, the vast majority of the ironwork being undiagnostic and all in a poorly
preserved condition.

This small assemblage from Chapel Court is largely unremarkable, fragmentary and undiagnostic. That a significant proportion of the assemblage was recovered from disturbed and unstratified contexts also attests to the degree of local disturbance that would be expected from a building that has witnessed prolonged use and modifications. Despite the seemingly poor quality of the assemblage, however, two pieces of metalwork stand out. These are the lead stylus and Boy Bishop token. Both associated with religious foundations, the former attests to the degree and type of literacy within the former nunnery of St Rhadegund’s and the latter to celebrations either associated with Christmas or to quasi-commercial activity that took place during the annual fair held at the site (this fair subsequently became Garlic Fair, persisting into the 19th century). The date of these two items suggests they were connected to the nunnery, a view strengthened by the general location where they were found. As such, these items, and the later metalwork objects, provide evidence of the changing nature of the use of the site and of activities that took place within the courtyard, witnessing the transition from a religious foundation to the present day college.

Tr. 2: ‘Boy Bishop’ token, probably made in Bury St Edmunds or Ely. This example is probably of the half-groat size. Obverse has a crudely executed Bishop’s mitre and the reverse a standard long-cross, triple pellets within the central field and illegible legend. Diameter c. 27mm. Boy Bishop tokens were issued during the Christmas festive period between St Nicholas’ day on the 6th December until Childermas (or Holy Innocents’ Day) on the 28th December. During this period, a choirboy was elected as bishop and treated as a real bishop. During his time as bishop, the Boy Bishop lead processions and preached sermons, but was not allowed to celebrate Mass. The Boy Bishop would preach a sermon on the 28th December, resigning the same day. In some cities and towns, especially East Anglia lead tokens were issued, with the main centre at Bury St Edmunds, although the practice also exited at Sudbury, Ipswich and Ely. Tokens were typically exchanged for alms. Most tokens were based on general coinage and groat size, the half-groat size, such as this example, being much rarer, with more finely detailed ones generally earlier in date. The practice of electing Boy Bishops effectively ended with the Dissolution in 1536 (for a fuller discussion on these objects see Rigold 1977).

(lower level interface with [017]), F.18: a mixed context. This contained two sherds of 16th/17th century Frechen Stoneware (87g) and a sherd of 13th to 15th century grey coarseware (9g).

F.41: an 18th century context. This contained a sherd of creamware (11g), two sherds of white-dipped Staffordshire salt-glazed stoneware (16g), a sherd of plain red coarseware (191g), plus two residual sherds of 16th to 17th century Babylon-type lead- glazed earthenware (2g) and two sherds of 16th to 17th century German stoneware (4g).

F.20: this contained a sherd of Essex red ware (8g), which is late 13th to 15th century in date with a 15th century floruit.

<061> 11g, Context 26, modern garden

<066> 1g, Context 33, TP outside wine cellar

weighs 10 grams containing 4 pieces

F.33, <013>: contained a ribbed body fragment that appears to have been derived from a beaker of cylindrical or pedestal form. This has been mould blown, and dates to the 16th or more probably 17th century (Willmott 2002). It weighs 2g. Three fragments of window glass were also present in this context.