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WEIGHT
Unique ID: YORYM-D85366
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A complete lead trade weight of medieval to post-medieval date. The weight is shield shaped and is decorated on the upper surface with a crowned fleur-de-lis. The reverse is flat and undecorated.
The metal is a mid greyish-brown colour and is worn. The weight is 47mm long, 32.6mm wide, 7.4mm thick and weighs 68g.
Lead weighs such as this were commonly used to weigh goods under the averdepois system from 1390 in England and were used throughout the 15th century. It is likely that these weights represent a desire to standardize the trade weight system.
Biggs & Withers (2000, p.34) discuss the difficulties in dating shield weights as links between documentary evidence and artefactual evidence are difficult to establish. Their longevity with various qualities of workmanship and numerous designs employed over a long period of time also make dating difficult.
Biggs & Withers (2000, p.35) also state that the crowned-lis device employed on shield-shaped lead weights is a feature commonly found in the North of England.
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1250
Date to: Circa AD 1700
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 47 mm
Width: 32.6 mm
Thickness: 7.4 mm
Weight: 68 g
Personal details
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Materials and construction
Spatial metadata
Region: Yorkshire and the Humber (European Region)County or Unitary authority: East Riding of Yorkshire (Unitary Authority)
District: East Riding of Yorkshire (Unitary Authority)
Parish or ward: Wilberfoss (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: SE7250
Four figure Latitude: 53.94111365
Four figure longitude: -0.90464088
1:25K map: SE7250
1:10K map: SE75SW
Grid reference source: GPS (from the finder)
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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