2024-03-29T01:06:16+00:00https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/793127/format/qrcodehttps://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/793127/format/jsonhttps://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/793127/format/xmlhttps://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/793127/format/geojsonhttps://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/793127/format/pdfhttps://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/793127/format/rdfhttps://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/793127793127WILT-51AFD8PAS57751AFD001881TOKEN4.521.3727.111SSWM46711MEDIEVAL1450A lead medieval token of the Boy Bishop type dating to c. AD 1450. There is a long cross on the reverse with pellets in a few quarters, surrounded by a crude legend. The obverse shows a bust of a bishop surrounded by a crude legend. This token immitates a groat. Diameter: 27.11mm, thickness: 1.37mm, weight: 4.52g. The coin has been pierced twice, leaving two holes.
During medieval winter solistices it became a Christian tradition for each town to elect a Boy Bishop whom was paraded around on processions. During the processions lead tokens were handed out to the crowd to celebrate the event. This is based on the Roman celebration 'Feast of Saturnalia' which was where society was turned upside down. The Christian community evolved the event so instead of the King of Slaves elected, the Boy Bishop was. 2016-06-30 14:13:332016-08-17 10:31:36411Certain112929PAS57751AFD0018819242WILTLead11094Struck or hammeredCompleteMEDIEVALMDx14221p0gjgrsxwzxMEDIEVALMDx14221p0gjgrsxwzxMetal detectorCircaCirca79298272386850691741425TL9490TL9490TL99SW52.473445550.85492624101390055Bishop bustIllegibleLong cross with 3 pellets in each quarterIllegible641JettonOtherNot further definedOther579086WILT51AFD8.jpg9821266Medieval to post-medieval Boy Bishop tokenSalisbury and South Wiltshire Museum4images/rhenry2/EasternEuropean RegionCountyNorfolkDistrictBrecklandCivil Parish52.42960.724965ThetfordReturned to finder95429