WEIGHT

A complete lead-alloy trade weight of medieval to post-medieval date, c.AD 1380 - 1600. The weight is shield shaped with a raised moulded design featuring a large fleur-de-lis on the upper surface above which is a bi-foliate crown. A raised moulded border runs around the upper edge of the object which has been damaged in places, possibly due to the plough. The reverse is flat and undecorated

The metal has a brownish-grey patina and is worn. The weight is 70mm in length, 48mm in width, 10mm thick and weighs 178g

Lead weights have been used in trade since the Roman period and were used for weighing quantities of coin as well as goods. Shield-shaped weights are a distinctive group of trade weights which are used from c.AD 1380 and continue into the 15th century. 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 coupled with various qualities of workmanship and numerous designs employed over a long period of time also make dating difficult. It is likely however that some belong to the period following the conversion of the trade pound under the averdepois system and as such it is likely that these weights represent a desire to standardize the trade weight system.

It is common to encounter versions of royal insignia on shield shaped lead weights and Biggs & Withers (1992, p.42) state that the fleur-de-lis device is commonly found in the North of England.

Similar examples which have been recorded on the PAS database include LVPL-DFCE53, YORYM-EEB019 and DUR-6193C7.