Record ID: NMGW3341 - MEDIEVAL tumbrel

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TUMBREL

Unique ID: NMGW3341

Object type certainty: Certain

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Copper alloy tumbrel consisting of two elements, that is a vertical element and a separately cast balance arm, which articulate in such a way that when the balance is not in use it can be folded flat. The hollow-backed vertical element expands from an acorn finial at the top, through a slotted central section to a flattened foot with a damaged and incomplete base. The base of the foot widens to accommodate a vertically slotted socket in which traces of ferrous corrosion survive. The front of the vertical element is decorated with a double moulding and the slotted socket is decorated with incised cross-hatched lines. The balance-arm survives almost intact. Its tail tapers to a rounded point which is offset in the usual fashion close to the fulcrum. The balance-arms' rectangular tray has a stop ridge but is otherwise plain. The end of the rectangular tray is lost. The balance-arm is held in place by , and pivots upon, a copper alloy pin which passes through the side of the vertical element of the tumbrel. Length of vertical element 85mm, maximum width of vertical element 13.5mm, length of blance-arm 77.5mm, weight 31.4 grams. Excavated examples have been recovered from contexts ranging in date from the twelfth to the fourteenth centuries; however, the vogue of the type may extend beyond this date range as functioning examples are recorded as balancing weights of approximately 12 grains (about 0.78 grams) to about 22.2 grains (about 1.4 grams) which are comparable with silver pennies issued between 1279 and 1526 (Rogers 1993, 1; Egan 1998, 328-329, no.1059). Post-medieval examples of this form of coin –balance are unknown in Europe (Mac Gregor 1985, 422). Unfortunately, the loss of the end of the balance arm of the Foel Farm Park tumbrel means that it is not possible to calculate the weight at which it balanced; however, its form is closely paralleled by a complete example reportedly from Stourbridge Fair, Cambridgeshire which balances weights which are consistent with the reduced issues current between AD1351 and AD1412 (Mac Gregor 1985, 441-442, no.2, fig.1).

Notes:

Tumbrels are a distinctive form of coin balance. They were either held vertically or fixed into a table, bench or the ground, their balance arm begin used to check the weight of a specific coin type. It has been suggested that the vertically slotted socket of the foot is a relatively late feature which may have been used to check the thickness of Long Cross pennies cf. Rogers 1993,1. Tumbrels have previously been discovered in England, Scandinavia, Syria and Turkey (Rogers 1993, 1); however, the Foel Farm Park balance is the first recorded example from Wales. Tumbrels were probably used to check against clipped or light coins, although they could also have been used in a mint to establish which blanks could be struck and which rejected. It has been noted that the use of tumbrels was in theory restricted to mint officials as emphasised by a statute of Edward I of 1292 which recommended that tumbrels bear the King’s stamp (Margeson 1982, 244). Although not common finds, that they were also used illegally by private individuals is suggested by both the laws restricting their use and several religious treaties. Tellingly, none of the known examples of copper alloy tumbrels bear an official mark or stamp and it is unlikely that any of the examples made from bone were used in an official capacity (Mac Gregor 1985, 443). It is not obvious how a damaged tumbrel came to be deposited near Foel Farm Park. There are no known medieval sites, such as secular settlements or religious establishments, in the immediate vicinity of the find spot, although its location is close to the landing ground of the Caernarvon/Tan Y Foel ferry (RCAHMW 9160, 1xv, fig.16) and activity associated with this site may provide a plausible explanation for how the tumbrel came to be deposited.

Subsequent actions

Current location of find: returned to finder

Chronology

Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL [scope notes | view all attributed records]
Date from: AD 1066
Date to: AD 1540

Dimensions and weight

Weight: 31.4 g
Quantity: 1

Materials and construction

Primary material: Copper alloy [scope notes | view all attributed records]
Decoration method: Incised [scope notes | view all attributed records]
Completeness: Incomplete [scope notes | view all attributed records]

Spatial data

Restricted 4 Figure grid reference: SH4764
The map has been degraded and provides an approximate location with a degree of random obfuscation.
Grid reference source:
Grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.

Method of discovery: Metal detector [scope notes]
General landuse: Other [scope notes]
Specific landuse: Unknown [scope notes]

Discovery dates

Date(s) of discovery: Sunday 1st April 2001

Personal details

Found by: This information is restricted for your login.
Recorded by: Philip MacDonald - [ view all attributed records]
Identified by: Philip MacDonald - [view all attributed records]

Other reference numbers

Other reference: NMGWPA: 2001.94.1

References cited

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