KEY (LOCKING)

Fragment an iron key of probable medieval or post medieval date (1300-1700). The fragment consists of the lower shank and bit and is much corroded. It is broadly sub-rectangular in both plan and cross section and has been much abraded in the ploughsoil. The shank of the key is sub-rectangular and solid being square in cross section. From the lower edge of the shank a sub-rectangular bit projects. The bit is irregular with a number (probably three clefts on each edge. The corrosion is encrusted in places and prevents further detailed description. The fragment measures 28mm length, 28.2mm width, is a maximum pf 10.8mm thick and weighs 16.53 grams. The key is a mid brown colour with an encrusted surface. Some of the surface has been lost through abrasion. The broken edge of the key shank is also encrusted with a similar surface as that on the body. This suggests that the damage is relatively old. The abrasion and movement in the ploughsoil have also caused the key fragment to become asymmetrical and the edges to become rounded. A direct parallel for this key has not been found due to the fragmentary nature. However a number of very similar keys are shown in G. Egan’s ‘Medieval Households’ pages 111-119. From the size of the key and the presence of a solid shank (or pipe) it is likely that the key would have been used to lock a door, rather than a chest. The keys illustrated in this volume are all dated from the late 12th – to late 14th centuries (1150-1400). However due to the nature of the artefact a similar narrow date range cannot be suggested here.