Rights Holder: All rights reserved
CC License: All Rights Reserved
Image use policy
Our images can be used under a CC BY attribution licence (unless stated otherwise).
HORSESHOE
Unique ID: BERK-9421A6
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A complete iron horseshoe of medieval date. The horseshoe has a flat plate which is attached to the shoe (and the hoof) via iron nails. The form of the horseshoe suggests it is a Type 3 or Type 4 horseshoe (after Clark 1995), dating from c. AD 1250-1400. There are no obvious calkins and it is unlikely that this shoe ever had any - the plate suggests that this is an orthopaedic shoe fitted to protect the 'frog', the cushioned underside of the hoof. The frog protects the sensitive structures of the hoof from damage when the horse steps on uneven ground or rocks. Examples of medieval horseshoes with surviving plates are very rare.
Notes:
Images via email, not seen by recorder.
Find of note status
This has been noted as an interesting find by the recorder.
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Exactly AD 1250
Date to: Circa AD 1400
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 12.4 mm
Width: 12.9 mm
Thickness: 1.2 mm
Weight: 465 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Sunday 5th November 2017
Personal details
This information is restricted for your access level.
Other reference numbers
Other reference: OXPAS2018.153
Materials and construction
Primary material: Iron
Manufacture method: Cast
Decoration style: Geometric
Completeness: Complete
Spatial metadata
Region: South East (European Region)County or Unitary authority: West Berkshire (Unitary Authority)
District: West Berkshire (Unitary Authority)
Parish or ward: Welford (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: SU4070
Four figure Latitude: 51.42760114
Four figure longitude: -1.42605225
1:25K map: SU4070
1:10K map: SU47SW
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
Similar objects
Find number: SUSS-973667
Object type: HORSESHOE
Broadperiod: MEDIEVAL
Forged iron horseshoe of mid-11th-early 13th Century date. The shoe is arched with a wavy outer side, protruding nails and calkins. The nail-…
Workflow: Published
Find number: SOM-66BAC4
Object type: HORSESHOE
Broadperiod: POST MEDIEVAL
Check Findspot. Surgical horseshoe of forged iron dating to the Post Medieval period. The shoe has straight sides and no calkins. There is a …
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: PUBLIC-980EC1
Object type: HORSESHOE
Broadperiod: MEDIEVAL
A worn and corroded iron dove type horseshoe of the Medieval period. Both branches taper towards the heel, where there is no evidence of calk…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Timeline of associated dates
About Us
About our Site
Find us
The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG.
T: +44(0) 20 73238618