KEY (LOCKING)

A complete copper alloy rotary key of probable Medieval dating (AD 1150 to AD 1400).

The key is irregular in plan and cross section. The key can be described in several sections: The bow or handle, shank and bit.

The bow is sub circular in shape, with bevelled edges, creating an almost triangular cross section. The edges have been decorated with engraved horizontal cuts. The internal diameter of the bow is 7.7 mm. The shank is attached to the bow at the mid point of the right hand side, with a partial collar to the top and bottom of the shank.

The shank is made from a cylindrical rod, hollow at the far end for a depth of 3.9 mm. Small diagonal grooves, in a zig zag pattern are present on the top and sides of the shank.

The bit is sub rectangular. The clefts consist of one short horizontal notch, with a longer horiztonal notch on the reverse.

The key measures 43.0 mm in length, 14.3 mm wide and 5.9 mm thick. It weighs 9.7 g

The key is a mid brown colour and has an even surface patina.

From the size of the key and the presence of a hollow shank it is likely that the key would have been used to lock a casket or chest rather than a door. Door locks tend to have a solid shank and are larger (ibid: 111). Egan illustrates a similar example as no 301 (1998, 112) which has been dated to London ceramic phase 9 (c. AD 1270 to c. AD 1350). Therefore a similar date is suggested here for this example. A similar key has been recorded on the PAS database as WMID-C314EA.

Reference:

Egan, G. Security Equipment in Egan 1998

Egan, G. 1998 The Medieval Household Daily Living c.1150-c.1450. Medieval finds from Excavations in London 6. London. Museum of London / The Stationery Office.