KEY (LOCKING)

An incomplete copper alloy rotary key of probable Medieval dating (1150 to 1400 AD).

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 two sub rectangular projections located at the central point on the outside edge. An openwork cross is present in the centre of the bow, with a circular perforation located in each quarter of the cross. Rectangular knops extend outwards from the bow, above the top and bottom of the cross and by each angle. It has a rectangular cross section. An open circular collar is present at the back of the bow. The shank is attached to the bow at the mid point of the right hand side.

The shank consists of an rod, rectangular in plan and hollow in cross section. The far end is damaged.

The bit is complete. It is sub rectangular in plan and cross section. The bit has a vertical central cleft, separating the bit into two mirror image sides. From the top down, there is a wide groove, a horizontal extended ridge, then a plain section, before the base section which extends out and has a groove underneath.

The key is a dark green colour and has an even surface patina. It measures 107.2 mm in length, 33.4 mm wide and is 13.1 mm thick. It weighs 63.6 grams.

Rogerson and Ashley (2012) have published a group of similar keys from Norfolk, with a distribution centring on Aylsham in north-east Norfolk. Other keys with a similar design bow have been recorded on the PAS database, including: WMID-4DBCA5 & WMID-A85CAA.