Rights Holder: Somerset County Council
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WEIGHT
Unique ID: SOM-8AB516
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A medieval lead shield-shaped weight, probably for two ounces. The weight is decorated with a lion rampant on a raised panel. The perimeter step is decorated with lines. The lower surface is flat and plain. There are suggestions of a perforation central at the top of the panel. Similar weights can be found illustrated in Biggs (1992, 42-43), with direct comparisons in terms of size illustrated in Biggs and Withers (2000, 38; refs. 91 and 92). Its mass of 53.34g is c. 6% light of two ounces averdepois, following the 'binary' system of sixteen ounces to the pound effective from c. AD 1390 (Biggs 1992, 44). Although this weight is likely to be late medieval in date, evidence from official stamped marks suggests that their use could continue for a number of centuries (Biggs and Withers 2000, 36).
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1400
Date to: Circa AD 1600
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 34.5 mm
Width: 26.5 mm
Thickness: 11.6 mm
Weight: 53.34 g
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: SCC receipt 22164
Materials and construction
Primary material: Lead
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
Spatial metadata
Region: South West (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Somerset (County)
District: Taunton Deane (District)
To be known as: Bishop's Hull CP
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: From a paper map
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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