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TOKEN
Unique ID: WILT-AB3EC1
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A complete lead medieval token of the Boy Bishop type, dating to the period AD 1400-1500. The obverse shows a mitre, surrounded by a crude legend. There is a solid long cross on the reverse with three pellets in each quarter, surrounded by a crude legend. It probably imitates a long cross penny, and similar to those listed in Fletcher's Leaden Tokens and Tallies, p31.
During medieval winter solistices it became a Christian tradition for each town to elect a Boy Bishop whom was paraded around on processions. In 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.
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1400
Date to: Circa AD 1500
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Weight: 1.75 g
Diameter: 16.14 mm
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: SSWM 5214
Materials and construction
Primary material: Lead
Completeness: Complete
Jetton / token data
Class: English
Denomination: Token farthing
Obverse description: Mitre.
Obverse inscription: Illegible
Reverse description: Solid long cross, three pellets in each quadrant.
Reverse inscription: Illegible
Spatial metadata
Region: Eastern (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Suffolk (County)
District: Babergh (District)
Parish or ward: Little Waldingfield (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: TL9245
Four figure Latitude: 52.07007739
Four figure longitude: 0.79992508
1:25K map: TL9245
1:10K map: TL94NW
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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