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Archaeological Finds
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Flat disc

Tr. 2: Circular, flat lead disc with traces of two fixings; possibly a lid or similar. Diameter 24.8mm; undated.

Lead and Pewter

With the exception of the reported pieces three pieces of window lead (<156, 170>; total weight 24g) and two off-cuts (<155>, weight 25g; <157> 11g) were also found.

Stylus

Tr. 1: Lead stylus with one pointed and one flat end and used in a similar fashion to a pencil. Examples from Coppergate, York exist and are identical to Winchester Class 2 type styli and generally date from the 13th to 15th centuries (Ottaway & Rogers 2002, 2934). Length 104mm.

Boy Bishop token

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).

Copper Alloy

Tr. 2: Very small, probably copper alloy, pin missing its point. Length 19.5mm, head diameter 1.7mm.

Copper Alloy

<158>: Very thin copper alloy pin, poorly preserved, and missing its head. Pins are ubiquitous items and this example is probably Late Medieval to early post-Medieval in date; length c. 42.6mm, weight <0.5g.

Copper Alloy

Tr. 1: Single copper alloy lace chape or aiglet similar to <134> above; length 21.44mm.

Copper Alloy

SF17: Quatrefoil furniture mount/surround made from sheet copper alloy for a drop-handle, diamond shaped with a central piercing. The petals each have a raised boss and chased radial lines: 27.5mm x 27.9mm, weight 4g. 16th – 17th century in date.

Copper Alloy

<134>: Two copper alloy lace chapes, or aiglets; large numbers of these objects are commonly found on Medieval and post-Medieval sites and contexts. These examples are well preserved and most likely of Late Medieval data. Similar examples are published from London and Norwich (Margeson 1993; Egan 2005, 53). Dimensions: length 18.3 & 20.3mm; combined weight <1g.

Copper Alloy

<137>: Large copper alloy jetton or token of similar date and use to <136>; Groat size, c. 30.5mm in diameter and weighing 2g, possibly of French origin and probably 17th century in date. The inscription is illegible and would benefit from further cleaning and conservation.

Copper Alloy

<136>: Badly damaged copper alloy Nuremburg jetton, c. 55% surviving; torn along one side and in poor condition, but most likely a Hanns Krauwinckle type. These are very common on late 16th to early 17th century sites. Probably used as a counting or exchequer token or for gaming (see Egan 2005: 172 for a full discussion of these objects). Diameter 25mm, weigh 3g.

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